City police arrest 4 in theft of Ripken's No. 8 statue  —  Overnight incident at Camden Yards captured on surveillance video  —  Two barricades surround the remaining base of a statue commemorating the number of retired Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr. The No. 8 statue was stolen overnight …

Jose Reyes of New York Mets willing to play winter ball to recover from hamstring injury  —  NEW YORK — Jose Reyes is hoping to return to the New York Mets' lineup this season and is willing to play winter ball if it will help hasten his recovery from a torn right hamstring tendon.

Joba awaits playoff role  —  If the Yankees finish with the best record in the American League, they'll get to choose which division series schedule they would play, and that could determine whether Joba Chamberlain pitches in the bullpen or the rotation in October.

Harper: Jeter's silent treatment speaks volumes  —  Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter strikes out in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.  He goes 0-for-4 on the night with two more strikeouts as his chase of Lou Gehrig continues to stall.  —  In a world where the Yankees almost never lose anymore …

Astros correct Valverde's age mistake  —  GM Wade said closer's birth date listing was paperwork error  —  HOUSTON — Astros general manger Ed Wade said Wednesday a discrepancy in paperwork led to closer Jose Valverde being listed at two different ages in the team's previous two media guides.

Pujols homers twice, Wainwright wins 18th  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Albert Pujols hit two home runs for a majors-leading 47 and Adam Wainwright picked up his 18th win with seven scoreless innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Bumgarner solid, but Giants lose ground  —  San Francisco falls three games back in Wild Card race  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Tuesday was a good day for the Giants' future.  Their present-day prospects, however, dimmed somewhat.  —  Making a surprise start for Tim Lincecum …

Dominant Marquis keeps hot Rox rolling  —  Righty wins No. 15 as Colorado increases NL Wild Card lead  —  DENVER — In going where he's been just once, right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis took the Rockies to where they've never been.  —  Marquis struck out a season-high seven in 7 1/3 innings …

How NY Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher got his groove back  —  NEW YORK — It was the middle of November and I was in Northern Virginia, trolling Redskins practice looking for stories to write for my old paper.  Nick Swisher was at his dad's house in Parkersburg, W.V., trying to figure out what had gone wrong and how to fix it.

On That Stuff  —  Justin Verlander.  A.J. Burnett.  Ubaldo Jimenez.  These are the names that make scouts salivate.  Why?  One word.  Stuff.  —  Two components determine how nasty a pitcher's stuff truly is: velocity and movement.  We've had radar guns to track the league's hardest throwers …

Rangers complete sweep of Indians with 10-0 win  —  CLEVELAND — Scott Feldman pitched seven shutout innings, Esteban German went 5 for 5 and Marlon Byrd hit a three-run homer as the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 10-0 on Wednesday, completing a three-game sweep within 24 hours.

Excuse Me While I Kiss the Sky  —  Todd Drew's seats from Yankee Stadium II.  Now resting comfortably on Marsha Drew's deck down south.  —  I am honored to announce that Todd Drew's Lasting Yankee Stadium Memory has been selected by Leigh Montville to be in The Best American Sports Writing 2009 (due out next month).

Wakefield to get a cortisone shot tomorrow  —  Still hampered by nerve problems in his back, Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield will get another cortisone shot tomorrow.  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona met with team doctor Thomas Gill last night to discuss a plan for Wakefield …

Fantasy Analysis  —  Belisle went 1-1 with nine saves and a 3.09 ERA in 33 appearances (four starts) for the Sky Sox.  McCoy hit .307 with five triples, 102 runs and 40 steals for the Sky Sox.  To make room on the 40-man roster for Belisle and McCoy, right-hander Adam Eaton was designated …

Hank Steinbrenner staying silent this season  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Remember Hank  —  Steinbrenner?  —  How can't you?  —  The chain-smoking oldest son of George Steinbrenner catapulted himself into the spotlight late in 2007, after another early Yankees departure from the postseason.

Cards approach DeRosa about 2010  —  MILWAUKEE — General manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that the Cardinals have significant interest in retaining pending free agent Mark DeRosa and that he has made known the club's position to the player.  —  “Recognizing where we are …