Pirates extended Huntington, Russell contracts in winter  —  The Pirates extended the contracts of general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell by one year each this past offseason, team president Frank Coonelly disclosed this afternoon.  —  Huntington's contract had been set to expire after this season.

Arroyo homers, leads Reds over Dodgers 7-1  —  CINCINNATI—Hitting.  Pitching.  Defense.  Bronson Arroyo did it all.  —  The lanky right-hander hit the first of Cincinnati's three homers off rookie John Ely, pitched seven innings and completed three double plays while covering first base Thursday …

Mets have eyes set on arms … Baseball Tonight Live … Touch 'Em All

O's have chips to play at Trade Deadline  —  Wigginton, Millwood most likely to be dealt to contenders  —  SAN DIEGO — As June hits the midway-marker, the steady flow of trade rumors picks up steam and general managers around baseball make inquiries and begin to delve into the inventories of organizations.

Maddon: OF Matt Joyce “pounding on the door pretty loudly”  —  It is certainly not lost on the Rays how well OF Matt Joyce has been doing in Triple-A Durham.  —  Joyce, recovering from an elbow strain that has sidelined him in spring training, is hitting .343 with the Bulls, having reached base in his last 10 at bats.

Cupid strikes: Mariners bullpen catcher marrying woman he spotted in stands  —  Jason Phillips grabbed a baseball, scribbled his phone number on it, got the woman's attention and tossed it to her.  And for the rest of the game, he was left to wonder how she'd respond.  —  The courtship started in a bullpen, of all places.

Angels may have to go looking for shortstop because of injuries  —  With Maicer Izturis is on the disabled list and Erick Aybar possibly joining him, General Manager Tony Reagins keeps open option of trade or free-agent signing.  —  With Maicer Izturis on the disabled list and Erick Aybar possibly …

Rare Documents: MLB Constitution and By-Laws Now Available Online  —  THE BIZ OF BASEBALL HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH HARD TO FIND DOCS  —  Two of Major League Baseball's rarest documents have now been published within The Biz of Baseball's document archive.  —  A searchable version of the last update …

Ramirez Explored Exemption to Drug Policy  —  Around the time Major League Baseball suspended Manny Ramirez for violating its drug program last season, his representatives told officials in the commissioner's office that they planned to file for permission to use a banned drug that would boost his testosterone levels.

Scioscia's in favor of scrapping baseball's postgame scrum  —  The season-ending injury via postgame party is threatening to become an epidemic in Southern California.  First, the Los Angeles Angels lost star first baseman Kendry Morales  —  for the season when he broke his leg celebrating his game-winning grand slam on May 29.

Is He Baseball's Best Biologist?  —  A Science Whiz at Stanford, Chris Carter Has Aced His Tests With the Mets  —  Whether with the Mets or at Stanford, Chris Carter, nicknamed ‘The Animal’ by Mets manager Jerry Manuel, always gives his best.  —  CLEVELAND—Chris Carter looked at it this way …

Ubaldo wins 13th, Rockies snap skid with win over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Having caught the night before, Joe Mauer wasn't in the starting lineup Thursday.  —  Lucky him.  —  Ubaldo Jimenez was on the mound for the Rockies and, well, you know the rest of the story.

Royals tabbed to host 2012 All-Star Game  —  Kansas City awarded Midsummer Classic for first time since '73  —  KANSAS CITY — After years of waiting, a Major League All-Star Game is again a reality for Kansas City and the Royals.  —  Commissioner Bud Selig announced on Wednesday that the 2012 …