Huskers Join the Big 10 As Soon As Friday  —  Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald is reporting that an executive at a Big XII school expects Nebraska to join the Big Ten as soon as this Friday.  Tonight on his weekly appearance on the Husker Sports Network, Tom Osborne told host Lane Grindle:

Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg to face Cleveland Indians next … CLEVELAND — Coming off his sensational debut, Stephen Strasburg will make his first road start in the majors against the Cleveland Indians.  —  The Washington Nationals have confirmed that the 21-year-old will start Sunday at Progressive Field.

Joe Jackson catches Royals' eye in Draft  —  Relative of the Shoeless Joe taken in 50th round by KC  —  KANSAS CITY — It was a Field of Dreams type ending to the Royals' 2010 First-Year Player Draft.  —  As the Draft was winding down, and hundreds of prospects had been selected …

Masterson baffles ex-mates as Tribe rip Red Sox  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Masterson enjoyed Cleveland's eight-run eighth inning as much as his first career shutout.  —  Masterson beat his former team with a two-hitter and Travis Hafner hit a grand slam in the Indians' 11-0 rout of the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

Family trees spread across MLB Draft boards  —  Number of teams take familiar baseball names in Draft  —  NEW YORK — The name has shadowed him his entire life, from his birth certificate to the brink of his chosen career.  Benito Santiago Jr., son of five-time All-Star Benito Santiago …

Nats, Dunn begin extension talks  —  WASHINGTON — While he is not close to an extension, first baseman Adam Dunn said the Nationals and his agent, Greg Genske, talked while the team was in Houston playing a four-game series against the Astros last week.  —  According to Dunn …

Rockies get slammed by Astros in 10th inning  —  It looked like the Rockies were going to play yet another one-run game, just as they had in five of their previous seven games.  And then Carlos Lee stepped up Wednesday night and hit a grand slam that, if you wait five minutes, might land.  Or not.

Diamondbacks need infusion of credibility  —  Vultures seem to be circling the ballpark.  On some nights, Copper Square is a ghost town, with homeless people asleep on the curb of Chase Field.  Inside the building, the mood is toxic.  —  Something has to give.  Someone has to go.

On Day 2, Phils put emphasis on pitching  —  Club focuses more on college players than prep stars  —  PHILADELPHIA — After selecting a local product with their only pick on Day 1, the Phillies had to wait a while before their turn came up again Tuesday.  While other teams …

Cubs send Ramirez to 15-day DL with hurt thumb … MILWAUKEE (AP) — Struggling Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday to rest his ailing left thumb in the midst of his season-long slump.  —  “Right now, I'm not helping the team, I'm not helping myself.