Stan Kasten says the system is broken  —  After the whipped cream and joy faded away, Nationals President Stan Kasten used the platform of signing Bryce Harper to once again reiterate his contempt for baseball's current system for signing draft choices.  Three straight years …

Bobby Thomson, who hit the 'shot heard ‘round the world’ home run for the Giants, dies at 86  —  The man who hit the most famous home run in baseball history is gone.  —  Bobby Thomson, whose “shot heard ‘round the world” capped a best-of-three playoff and the Giants’ miracle comeback to win …

New York Mets put closer Francisco Rodriguez on disqualified list after surgery … HOUSTON — The New York Mets have placed closer Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list and exercised their right to convert his contract to a non-guaranteed contract.  —  Rodriguez has a torn thumb ligament …

Diamondbacks Set Loux Free  —  The 2010 draft keeps making news even after the signing deadline has passed, with the unprecedented step Tuesday of the Diamondbacks and unsigned first-rounder Barret Loux working with the commissioner's office to make Loux a free agent on Sept. 1.

Yanks' captain can't stop seeing double  —  Like jump throw and shovel pass, DPs in danger of becoming a Jeter trademark … NEW YORK — Derek Jeter can never hope to spend all the capital he has earned being the best all-around baseball player in New York over the past 15 seasons.

Study Says Brain Trauma Can Mimic A.L.S.  —  In the 71 years since the Yankees slugger Lou Gehrig declared himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth,” despite dying from a disease that would soon bear his name, he has stood as America's leading icon of athletic valor struck down by random, inexplicable fate.

Will Saturday's scoreless inning complicate K-Rod case?  —  As we await word from the Mets about their handling of the Francisco Rodriguez situation, here are a few things to consider:  —The “fact” that K-Rod suffered the torn ligament in his thumb during last Wednesday's alleged assault so far comes only from the Mets.

Baseball Beginnings Exclusive: Dylan Covey Bypasses Brewers; Rumored Shoulder Injury turns out to be Type 1 Diabetes; Will Play for the University San Diego  —  California high school right-hander Dylan Covey has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and will honor his commitment to play college baseball …

Red Sox hope Pedroia's return fuels rally  —  Back from left foot injury, second baseman set to add spark  —  BOSTON — There will be a surge of energy that permeates Fenway Park for Tuesday night's game against the Angels.  It will be felt when second baseman Dustin Pedroia takes his position at Fenway Park around 7:10 p.m. ET.

Yankees Sign Dominican Shortstop Tamarez For $650,000  —  Dominican shortstop Christopher Tamarez has agreed to terms with the Yankees for $650,000.  —  Tamarez, 16, is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound rigthanded hitter who played in the Dominican Prospect League.  Tamarez has a wiry frame …

Hamilton leaving no doubt he is the best player in baseball … Just another night in the life of the best player in baseball went something like this, at least as far as last Friday the 13th:  —  • Smash four hits all over the park: a single to left, a 440-foot bomb to center, a single and double to right.

Red Sox reach agreement with Ranaudo  —  The Red Sox reached an agreement with right-hander Anthony Ranaudo just before the 11:59 p.m. deadline to sign picks on Monday.  —  The Red Sox signed supplemental first-round pick (No. 39 overall) Anthony Ranaudo to a $2.55 million deal …