Mets Jeff Francoeur, seeking playing time, open to trade  —  NEW YORK — Benched to make room for a 21-year-old rookie, marginalized as a platoon player, Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur has told the club through his representatives that he is interested in being traded to a team that would play him more, both sides confirmed yesterday.

Saltalamacchia on the way; Cash to DL  —  The Red Sox have called up catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Triple A Pawtucket.  Globe colleague Amalie Benjamin had the news first.  —  Catcher Kevin Cash is being placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Felix overpowers A's with career-high 13 K's  —  Seattle ace escapes jam in first, tosses eight shutout frames  —  SEATTLE — The game was three batters old and Felix Hernandez was in big trouble.  Everywhere he looked, a runner was on base.  —  He talked to himself a couple of times …

The Athletics' 2011 Offense  —  The Athletics' pitching staff is second in the AL with a 3.65 ERA, but their offense ranks 11th with 4.08 runs scored per game.  It's time to find some bats!  —  A's assistant GM David Forst told ESPN's Jayson Stark on July 29th the team is considering “bringing back the same 25 guys next year.”

Posada's shoulder is heart of the matter  —  There's plenty to fret about after tough loss, but situation with Yanks catcher tops list … ARLINGTON, Texas — First, the good news: A.J. Burnett's back is fine.  —  Now, the not-so-good news: Jorge Posada's throwing shoulder is not.

Cecil's next start pushed back to Saturday  —  Blue Jays bump Mills to Thursday's outing vs. Red Sox  —  TORONTO — Blue Jays starting pitcher Brett Cecil will have his scheduled start on Thursday against the Red Sox pushed back to Saturday in Anaheim.  —  The left-hander injured his right knee …

Cards brawl with Reds, take division lead  —  Yadier Molina jawed with Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips in the first inning Tuesday night, sparking a bench-clearing altercation, and the Cardinals followed their catcher's lead to an 8-4 victory that moved St. Louis back into first place in the NL Central.

Thome, Mauer help Twins topple White Sox, regain first in AL Central  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Jim Thome (FSY) hit his 579th homer, Joe Mauer (FSY) had three more hits and the Minnesota Twins took sole possession of the AL Central lead by beating the Chicago White Sox 12-6 on Tuesday night.

Dickerson took long road to Milwaukee  —  MILWAUKEE — Chris Dickerson's Monday began in Cincinnati, where he learned he'd been traded to the Brewers.  It ended in Milwaukee, where he scrambled to prepare for what might have been a dramatic debut.  —  Instead, Dickerson was left standing …