Riggleman sees more playing time for Ramos  —  ATLANTA — Wilson Ramos and Pudge Rodriguez will continue splitting time behind the plate, but Nationals manager Jim Riggleman plans to give the rookie more and more playing time.  —  “Even though Pudge is playing very well …

Ex-clubhouse head indicted for taking Mets gear  —  NEW YORK - Former New York Mets clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels was indicted on charges that he criminally possessed nearly $2.3 million worth of game-used Mets memorabilia — including signed jerseys, bats and baseballs …

WAKE WON'T RULE OUT PLAYING FOR ANOTHER TEAM  —  TORONTO — Tim Wakefield, who will become the oldest player in Red Sox history to participate in a game with the next pitch he throws, talked Tuesday night about the chance he might play for another organization.  —  “It depends on the situation.

Yanks: No plan to discuss CC's opt-out clause  —  In keeping with the New York Yankees policy in recent years, the team has no plans to talk with CC Sabathia before the end of the season about the opt-out clause in his contract, general manager Brian Cashman said on Wednesday afternoon.

Sizemore to have MRI on right knee  —  CLEVELAND — Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore was not in the lineup and away from the ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.  —  Sizemore left Progressive Field a few hours prior to Wednesday's game against the Rays to undergo an MRI exam on his right knee.

Padres offence explodes in win over Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE - Cameron Maybin drove in the go-ahead runs and Ryan Ludwick homered in an eight-run eighth inning after the San Diego Padres had already squandered one big lead in a 13-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

La Russa will be out indefinitely  —  CHICAGO  • Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will miss the rest of the team's current road trip and perhaps significantly more time as he recovers from shingles.  —  General manager John Mozeliak confirmed during Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs …

Yankees Head Athletic Trainer Gene Monahan to Retire at Conclusion of 2011 Season  —  The New York Yankees announced today that Head Athletic Trainer Gene Monahan, who is the longest-tenured employee in the Yankees organization, will retire at the conclusion of the 2011 season after 49 years of continuous service.

A great story about Joe Torre, Pedro Guerrero and fraternization  —  Joe Torre caused a little bit of a stir earlier this week when ESPN's Buster Olney reported that MLB's new enforcer was looking to limit fraternization between members of opposing teams.  —  Torre's new initiative brought a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.

Dodgers' Frank McCourt will seek owners' support, but shouldn't expect it  —  He will need votes from seven others to keep the Dodgers as he faces missing payroll.  But he doesn't have deep relationships with fellow owners to count on in crisis.  —  There will be pleasantries.  How was your flight?

Hunter Pence doubles in ninth, Astros beat Reds 4-3  —  HOUSTON — Hunter Pence hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros avoided a series sweep with a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.  —  Mike Leake (3-2) walked J.R. Towles with one out in the ninth …

Mets catcher Josh Thole gives up Twitter  —  DENVER — The morning after another game in which he did not get a hit, Mets catcher Josh Thole checked his Twitter account.  He began the account during spring training, figuring it a lark.  —  Yet once again, he found a bevy of critical messages sent from fans and would-be experts.

Cabrera snubs the option of an off-day  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Tigers offense currently has more balance right now than it arguably has at any point this season.  But that doesn't mean that they can go a game without their slugger in the cleanup spot.  —  Manager Jim Leyland openly pondered whether …

Hot Starts Revisited (Call the Doctor)  —  This past weekend in Chicago, I bent elbows with several fellow baseball writers at Miller's Pub, a venue lined with old baseball and celebrity photos, chosen because it was a favorite haunt of the late Bill Veeck.  Among those I had the opportunity …