Ellsbury back on the disabled list  —  Jacoby Ellsbury was seen by a thoracic specialist today who agreed with the diagnosis of four cracked ribs.  —  “I tried to play with some level of discomfort, knowing I wasn't 100 percent.  In doing so, it worsened my condition,” Ellsbury said.

BLUE JAYS, ORIOLES SET TO BEGIN STRETCH OF DIVISIONAL GAMES  —  Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Already 18 games out of first place in the American League East, the Baltimore Orioles can at least try to have some fun by shaking up the standings with 12 straight matchups against their division opponents.

Note: What Did Mike Francesa Just Say About Me?  —  Mike Francesa asked on WFAN, 'Who cares what Matthew Cerrone thinks?  He then said I look like I am 12 years old, and later asked, “Who reads blogs anyway?”  —  To get on air and tell him why you read blogs, and engage in new media, call 877-337-6666.

Umpire Joe West, Chicago White Sox's Ozzie Guillen, Mark Buehrle fined  —  NEW YORK — Umpire Joe West, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and pitcher Mark Buehrle were fined by Major League Baseball on Friday for their recent balk flap.  —  A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press there weren't any suspensions.

Josh Bard to DL, Eliezer Alfonzo called up and Jack Hannahan designated for assignment  —  Turns out that calf injury for Josh Bard (photo right) was serious, since he's been put on the 15-day DL with a muscle pull.  That means the M's have brought up Eliezer Alfonzo (photo left) from Class AAA.

Mets zero in, shut out Phils for 3rd straight day  —  NEW YORK (AP) Mike Pelfrey and the New York Mets zeroed in once again.  —  Pelfrey and the Mets bullpen pulled off a most extraordinary pitching feat in this big-hitting era, shutting out Philadelphia for the third straight game Thursday night …

Rangers must sweeten the deal to get Roy Oswalt  —  Our baseball team was in bankruptcy court this week, with a local judge wading through Tom Hicks' red ink, which is so deep that at one point the Honorable Michael Lynn had to make this strange request:  —  Would a credit card company …

How long will Florida Marlins extend Phillies' scoreless streak?  —  The Marlins' bullpen has been so rough lately that even the help at Sun Life Stadium is taking notice.  —  I overheard this comment by a stadium employee grumbling to a co-worker a few minutes ago: “The Phillies picked the right place to get some runs.

Cubs' Lilly cheats, busted by Twitter  —  It's not often that you see a runner on first base arguing with the first-base umpire.  But that's exactly what happened in the bottom of the sixth inning at Wrigley Field today, as Casey Blake got into it with crew chief John Hirschbeck.

Lee, Oswalt and Fielder headline summer trade candidates … Thanks to the Astros' longtime pitching star Roy Oswalt and his unusually early trade request, trade speculation has already begun — though the majority of trade-deadline deals won't happen for two months.

Cruz day-to-day despite hamstring scare  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz said he “blew out” one of his hamstring muscles in his left leg in his last at-bat on Wednesday against the Royals.  —  The good news: he doesn't need that muscle.  Dr. Keith Meister told Cruz that's …

Kubel belts two homers, powers Twins over Yankees  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jason Kubel (FSY) ended Minnesota's long power drought in a big way, belting two home runs and driving in five runs in the Twins' 8-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday night.

Pirates place pitcher Morton on DL  —  The Pirates have placed starter Charlie Morton on the 15-day disabled list because of shoulder fatigue.  —  Reliever Steven Jackson had his contract purchased from Class AAA Indianapolis.  —  General manager Neal Huntington said in a statement …

Tigers get Guillen back for A's series  —  DETROIT — Carlos Guillen is headed back to the Tigers, and heading to second base for the first time since 1999.  The Tigers activated Guillen from the 15-day disabled list Friday, paving the way for him to rejoin the starting lineup at second.