Yankees have interest in Penny  —  The Yankees have an interest in veteran right-hander Brad Penny, who was released by the Red Sox late Wednesday night.  —  According to a person with knowledge of the Yankees' plans, the club doesn't know of an agreement between Penny and the Red Sox …

New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry reaches waiver wire  —  The rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox burns strongly even when it comes to waiver claims.  —  When the New York Mets and Red Sox worked out a trade for left-handed reliever Billy Wagner earlier this week …

Yanks waste solid effort from A.J.  —  For three innings, A.J. Burnett was perfect.  By the time the day was over, it was anything but perfect for the Yankees.  —  The Bombers lost the rubber game of their three-game set with the Rangers, dropping a 7-2 decision to Texas that snapped their streak of six straight winning series.

Keppinger hits clutch HR in ninth as Astros top Cards  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — One big swing from Jeff Keppinger (FSY), hardly a long-ball threat, eased the Houston Astros' frustrations after getting worked over by St. Louis Cardinals pitchers.  —  Keppinger hit a tiebreaking homer …

Hoffman in waiting mode  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Trevor Hoffman has not been in this position for quite some time.  —  “I've been a 10-and-5 guy for a long time,” said Hoffman.  —  Hoffman referred to his previous status with the San Diego Padres, for whom he played 16 years.

Morgan out with broken hand  —  Center fielder Nyjer Morgan broke his left hand sliding head first into third base in the first inning against the Cubs this afternoon.  —  Morgan, acquired from the Pirates in a trade that also brought lefty Sean Burnett, left the game after scoring on Cristian Guzman's double in the first.

Chicago Cubs should cut Milton Bradley  —  There's no good solution to mess he created  —  On Baseball  —  Milton Bradley?  There are three possible solutions for the Cubs: continued patience and hope, endless headaches while hoping some team is silly enough to deal for him or pay him his money and send him home.

Matt Murton, the Mets' injuries, Derek Jeter and more on the “List” ruling  —  Yeah, that's right, Matt Murton.  —  On Twitter last night, FireJerryManuel wrote to me, “Can you write something on how dumb the Mets would be to not claim Murton and to pay Frenchy 5 million instead of him?”

Pirates do a number on Happ, Phillies in 3-2 victory  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — J.A. Happ (FSY) looked like a rookie on the key pitch of the game, and Garrett Jones (FSY) didn't.  The result was the National League's best first-year pitcher was beaten by arguably its best first-year hitter …

Cards, Franklin close to new contract  —  After spending last winter in a fruitless search for a closer, the Cardinals apparently have settled on one through 2011.  —  The club is expected to announce this weekend an agreement with Ryan Franklin on a contract extension that includes …

Guillen, Jacobs bury the hatchet  —  Royals players engage in scuffle on Wednesday  —  SEATTLE — Things have been smoothed over after a confrontation between Royals players Mike Jacobs and Jose Guillen as the team arrived in Seattle.  —  Guillen and Jacobs went nose-to-nose outside …

Jayson Stark picks his MVP, Cy Young and rookie award winners  —  NL MVP is all but locked up, but the rest of the award races are still up for grabs  —  Is it too soon to mail Albert Pujols his National League MVP trophy right now?  —  Seriously.  With all due respect to the fabulous work …

Posada leaves game after being nicked  —  Catcher aggrivates left ring finger, listed as day-to-day  —  NEW YORK — Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has a bruised left ring finger and is listed as day-to-day after being forced to leave Wednesday's 9-2 victory over the Rangers.

DEREK JETER AND MINKA KELLY ENGAGED?  —  ARE Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly (above) ready to take the next step?  “Derek and Minka are secretly engaged,” an insider told Page Six.  The Yankee captain and the actress are telling close pals to “save the date” for nuptials in the fall.

Griffey moves past hometown  —  DETROIT — CNati.com recently caught up with former Red Ken Griffey Jr., who after nine seasons in his hometown of Cincinnati, was traded to the White Sox last season and then signed with the Seattle Mariners during spring training.