Wagner Activated, Hernandez Released  —  The Mets have activated Billy Wagner from the 60 day disabled list.  —  To make room for Wagner, the Mets have released Livan Hernandez.  —  Hernandez was 7-8 with a 5.47 ERA for the Mets in 2009, but posted a 7.33 ERA in July and an 11.30 ERA in August.

SHEFF AND METS AT ODDS  —  Gary Sheffield asked the Mets for a contract extension, the club rejected the oveture and now Sheffield has threatened to leave the team and head home, two sources told the Post.  —  As of 6:30 p.m., one of the sources said, Mets officials and Sheffield were in discussions on how to move forward.

Padres get cash for Gaudin ...  SAN DIEGO - General manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday that the Padres will take cash considerations, believed to be $100,000, as compensation for the August 7 deal that sent him to the New York Yankees.  —  The Padres had the option of cash considerations …

Yankees Still Have Something to Prove in Boston  —  BOSTON - The Yankees are 76-45, too many games over .500 to be a fluke.  This is easily their best team in several years, and the rough patches in their schedule - the interleague games in June, the series in Anaheim in July - have been quickly followed by prolonged dominance.

Rumblings and Grumblings: Dangerous closer issues among contenders  —  Several contenders are heading down the stretch with unreliable closer situations  —  It isn't necessarily true that to win a World Series you need a dominant closer.  —  What is necessarily true, though …

Teixeira to visit ‘Late Show With David Letterman’  —  NEW YORK YANKEES ALL-STAR FIRST BASEMAN MARK TEIXEIRA MAKES HIS FIRST VISIT TO CBS'S “LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN,” MONDAY, AUGUST 24  —  Teixeira to Also Participate in Outdoor Batting Demonstration During the Broadcast

Steinbrenner High School set to open  —  NEW YORK — What school would have a course entitled BOSS?  None other than Steinbrenner High School, where opening day is Tuesday in Lutz, Fla., near the home of Yankees patriarch George Steinbrenner.  —  The $60 million structure in Hillsborough County …

Abolish The Draft  —  After watching Stephen Strasburg break a record for the largest bonus signed through the draft, it's not a big surprise that Bud Selig is talking tough on mandatory slotting and saying that he's going to be “very aggressive” in trying to implement a worldwide draft in the next round of CBA negotiations.

Rizzo lands Nationals' GM position  —  Former acting GM to be introduced today at news conference  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals will formally name Mike Rizzo general manager and senior vice president of baseball operations on Thursday afternoon.  —  The club scheduled a 4 p.m. ET news conference …

Jerry Remy returns tomorrow  —  A familiar voice will be in a familiar place when the Yankees come to Fenway Park [map] tomorrow.  —  Beloved broadcaster Jerry Remy, sidelined since May while dealing with the effects of cancer treatments and depression, will make his return to the NESN booth for tomorrow night's game.

Wake, Dice-K set to pitch Friday  —  Veteran to take hill for Triple-A; righty to throw side session  —  TORONTO — As Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny faces the archrival Yankees on Friday, two of Boston's rehabbing pitchers will also take the mound: Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield will pitch …

Kawakami outpitches Santana in Braves' 3-2 win  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Kenshin Kawakami (FSY) outpitched Johan Santana (FSY), Brian McCann (FSY) hit a solo homer and the Atlanta Braves clawed just a bit further into playoff contention with a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday night.

Tigers score twice in ninth, rally to down Mariners … DETROIT(AP) The Detroit Tigers ‘ moving truck was backed up to the clubhouse door.  —  The Tigers only wish they could pack some Comerica Park momentum with them.  —  Clete Thomas ’ two-out, RBI single capped a two-run rally …

Yankees spell out Joba plan  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Joba Chamberlain shed some light on the Yankees' plan for him, saying yesterday he is scheduled to start six more games this season.  —  The 23-year-old right-hander asked pitching coach Dave Eiland and manager Joe Girardi for clarification of how he would be used.

Texas adds infielder to Astros to Pudge deal  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have sent minor-league infielder Jose Vallejo (vah-YAY'-hoh) to the Houston Astros.  —  The Rangers say Vallejo is the “player to be named later” who completes the trade that brought catcher Ivan (ee-VAHN') Rodriguez back to Arlington.

Jorge Cantu scratched from Marlins lineup with neck stiffness  —  1B Jorge Cantu has been scratched from the Marlins starting lineup because of neck stiffness.  Rookie Gaby Sanchez will start at 1B.  —  Jorge won't play first tonight.  (El Nuevo Herald)  —  Here's the new lineup:  —  LF Chris Coghlan