Sox were in on Hardy  —  Before you ask the obvious question, here's the answer: yes, the Red Sox were in on discussions for shortstop J.J. Hardy, who was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Minnesota Twins earlier today.  —  According to a baseball source, the Sox had been engaging …

Dodgers: Manny Ramirez to return in 2010  —  Manny Ramirez will return to the Dodgers next season, according to his agent, Scott Boras.  —  Boras said that he informed General Manager Ned Colletti today that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in the two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring.

Phils exploring alternatives to Feliz; Lidge's elbow examined  —  The Phillies are actively exploring options at third base other than Pedro Feliz, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today.  —  The team has until Monday to exercise a $5.5 million dollar contract option on Feliz for the 2010 season.

Donnelly, Gload file for free agency  —  Marlins hold exclusive negotiating rights until Nov. 19  —  MIAMI — Neither one of them was on the roster when the Marlins opened Spring Training in 2009.  Yet, both became big contributors.  —  Now, reliever Brendan Donnelly and first baseman/pinch-hitter Ross Gload will test the market.

Report: Lincecum reaches deal on drug charge  —  SEATTLE (AP) - San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum has an agreement with a prosecutor in his home state of Washington that could settle his misdemeanor marijuana charge, The Columbian reported Friday.  —  The Vancouver, Wash. …

Myers will not return to Phillies  —  Brett Myers was told today that his Phillies career is over, the Inquirer's Jim Salisbury reports.  —  “I officially won't be a Phillie next year,” the 29-year-old pitcher told The Inquirer this afternoon.  —  In a meeting with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. …

Tigers part ways with Treanor, Thames  —  Pair likely to become free agents after removal from roster  —  DETROIT — Marcus Thames' Tigers tenure is likely over.  The team removed him from the 40-man roster Friday, the first step towards making the slugging outfielder a free agent.

Beckett will be free agent after 2010  —  Josh Beckett told WEEI.com that he wants to come to Boston in the next couple of weeks to get a reading on the club's feelings about an extension when his contract expires after next season.  —  Beckett is highly respected by the Boston staff.

Rivera kept injury quiet during Series  —  Yankees closer hurt rib cage against Angels during ALCS  —  NEW YORK — There was no perceptible wincing when Mariano Rivera threw the final pitch of the World Series on Wednesday, inducing Shane Victorino to hit an easy ground ball that secured the Yankees' 27th championship.

Kearns tenure with Nats is likely over  —  WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have declined their $10 million option on outfielder Austin Kearns and are paying a $1 million buyout, presumably ending his disappointing tenure with the team.  —  The 29-year-old Kearns hit only .195 …

Rockies decline options on Torrealba, Embree  —  DENVER — What was suspected for weeks became a reality Friday.  The Rockies declined the $4 million option on Yorvit Torrealba's contract, making him a free agent.  They also exercised a buyout with reliever Alan Embree.

Angels' GM Tony Reagins given contract extension  —  ANAHEIM, CA - The 2009 A.L. West Division champion Angels announced Friday that General Manager Tony Reagins has received a long-term contract extension.  Reagins became the 10th General Manager in Club history when he signed an initial three-year contract on October 16, 2007.

Blue Jays outright three to Triple-A  —  Catcher Phillips, pitchers Romero, Murphy sent to Las Vegas  —  The Blue Jays adjusted their 40-man roster Friday by outrighting catcher Kyle Phillips and left-handers Davis Romero and Bill Murphy to Triple-A Las Vegas.