He must have his reasons, but what are they?  —  So it's official: He really is an idiot.  —  I say this with no malice and all due respect.  “Idiot,” you must remember, was the title of Johnny Damon's 2005 best-selling autobiography (a work often compared with Tolstoy's “Anna Karenina” and Dostoevsky's “Notes From the Underground").

Sources: Manny Ramirez on waivers  —  Outfielder Manny Ramirez has been placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources tell ESPN.com.  —  Ramirez  —  Teams will have until Friday afternoon to put in a claim on Ramirez.  Any team that's awarded the claim would have until Tuesday afternoon …

Astros outlast Phillies in 16 innings  —  PHILADELPHIA—The Houston Astros' wild 4-2 win over Philadelphia lasted 16 innings, over 5 hours, and saw Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt play left field and ground into the final out Tuesday night.  —  Oswalt became the first Phillies pitcher to play …

New York Yankees not targeting Hiroki Kuroda, GM says  —  TORONTO — General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that even though the pitching-depleted New York Yankees are engaged in a bitter division battle with the Tampa Bay Rays, he does not anticipate going outside the organization for help before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline.

Beckett reverses fortunes, helps Boston to 5-3 win  —  BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett (FSY) rebounded from a rough stretch and the Boston Red Sox broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the sixth inning to beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

Few Have Played Shortstop at Jeter's Advanced Age  —  Before this season, it would have in some parts of the city been controversial to suggest that Derek Jeter is but a man, as prone to age and frailty as anyone else.  With three-quarters of the 2010 season in the books and the Captain …

Rockies' bullpen short; Pads could be fit for Hawpe  —  The road in the bullpen is bumpy today, with the bridge (Rafael Betancourt) and the Street (closer Huston Street) likely both unavailable.  —  Betancourt played catch but won't pitch again in a game until Friday at the earliest …

Twins Claim Randy Flores  —  The Twins claimed lefty reliever Randy Flores off waivers from the Rockies, according to a press release.  The 35-year-old posted a 2.96 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 27.1 innings for the Rockies this year, but the Rockies designated him for assignment last week.

Armando Galarraga might have a chance for another (near) perfect game this afternoon, as the Royals feature the following lineup:  —  1. Gregor Blanco  —  2. Mike Aviles  —  3. Willie Bloomquist  —  4. Billy Butler  —  5. Kila Ka'aihue  —  6. Brayan Pena  —  7. Mitch Maier  —  8. Jai Miller

Mailbag: Clay Buchholz can improve  —  Editor's note: Curt Schilling answers user questions in an occasional mailbag for ESPNBoston.com.  Click here to ask Curt a question for his next mailbag.  —  Q. Hey Curt, I'm glad you're doing this mailbag and we can always count on your honesty and experience.

Marlins' profits came at taxpayer expense  —  The swindlers who run the Florida Marlins got exposed Monday.  They are as bad as anyone on Wall Street, scheming, misleading and ultimately sticking taxpayers with a multibillion-dollar tab.  Corporate fraud is alive and well in Major League Baseball.

Torii Hunter doesn't have the cure  —  After 10-3 loss to Rays, Angels outfielder seems resigned to team's fate this season … ANAHEIM, Calif. — Torii Hunter still isn't comfortable running out to right field.  The 14-year center fielder, who made the move to right field to make room …