Nats ask Guzman to play second base in 2010  —  The Nationals may not be looking to sign a free agent like second baseman Orlando Hudson this offseason.  —  It was learned that general manager Mike Rizzo and interim manager Jim Riggleman had a private meeting with shortstop Cristian Guzman …

Chipper may retire if next season disappoints  —  Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said he would consider retiring if he has another season in 2010 as frustrating and disappointing as this one has been.  —  He signed a three-year, $42-million contract extension in March that runs through 2012 …

Rest prescribed for Robertson  —  This from the Yankees: … That's good news for Dave.  He could start throwing around Sept. 14 and that would give him ample time to get ready for the playoffs.  —  UPDATE, 7:11 p.m.: I'm factoring in the days he has already been off, which is how the Yankees have done it in the past.

Rangers won't sit Millwood to save $12M  —  Veteran needs eight innings to guarantee 2010 contract  —  ARLINGTON — Kevin Millwood starts for the Rangers on Friday against the Seattle Mariners.  —  The question put to pitching coach Mike Maddux this week in Cleveland is if this will be Millwood's last start of the season.

Lidge, Manuel on same page  —  Closer ready to be used out of bullpen in a variety of ways  —  WASHINGTON — Brad Lidge's role in the Phillies' bullpen has changed, and Thursday provided the first example of how much.  —  Charlie Manuel said before the Phils' 8-7 loss to the Nationals …

THE BRADFORD FILES: IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY FOR BILLY WAGNER … When it comes to what awaits, Billy Wagner knows the deal.  —  “I know [the Red Sox] are going to offer me arbitration and of course I'm probably going to turn it down,” said the Red Sox reliever.

Four Yanks-keteers still together  —  ON Aug. 25, 1992, Derek Jeter was promoted from the Rookie Gulf Coast League to the Low-A Greensboro Hornets.  He didn't really want to be there.  He was exhausted, homesick and frustrated from a first dabble in professional ball at Tampa …

Rockies' Contreras strains quad  —  The Rockies' injury bug has turned into an epidemic.  —  Starting pitcher Jose Contreras left today's game against the Reds in the third inning when he injured his right leg running to first base after hitting a grounder to short.

Royals' Gil Meche not likely to pitch the rest of the season  —  Gil Meche is now unlikely to pitch again the rest of the season, and Brian Bannister is headed to New York for a second opinion as both Royals pitchers deal with shoulder injuries.  —  Royals manager Trey Hillman would not reveal …

Mets lighten 9/11 anniversary for families  —  Ten-year-old Nicholas Reda and his  —  8-year-old brother, Matthew, grabbed their baseballs and charged to the front of the room where Mets pitchers Tim Redding and Nelson Figueroa were just settling into their chairs.

Red Sox find strength in bullpen  —  Armed forces  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  Some worriers may wonder why the Red Sox [team stats] bullpen simply cannot be perfect or why Jonathan Papelbon [stats] seems to be working harder than usual to earn saves.

Q&A: Selig discusses MLB economics  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this

Barajas not returning?  That's news to him  —  Cito Gaston doesn't expect soon-to-be free agent Rod Barajas to be with the Blue Jays next season, and the catcher isn't sure why his manager feels that way.  —  “I don't know why someone would assume that,” a surprised Barajas said.

Wang optimistic about 2010  —  NEW YORK - Chien-Ming Wang, who had shoulder surgery in July, hopes to travel with the Yankees during the postseason even through he cannot play.  —  “This is a great team.  We can win the World Series,” he said.  “I want to see that.”

Torii Hunter of Los Angeles Angels wins Branch Rickey Award  —  DENVER — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter was named the winner of the Branch Rickey Award in recognition of his work with kids in the community.  —  Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991 …