Mets to sell $200M stake in franchise to Einhorn  —  NEW YORK — The cash-strapped owners of the New York Mets have agreed to sell a minority share of the team to hedge fund manager David Einhorn for $200 million.  —  The move, announced Thursday, would allow owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz to retain control of the team.

Star catcher Buster Posey likely out for year  —  SAN FRANCISCO—Giants star catcher Buster Posey is likely out for the season with a fractured bone in his lower left leg suffered during a collision at home plate with Florida's Scott Cousins.  —  The Giants announced Thursday that Posey …

Bailey leaves start early with shoulder spasm  —  PHILADELPHIA — Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey was headed back to Cincinnati Thursday afternoon after he suffered a right shoulder spasm during a 10-4 loss to the Phillies.  —  Bailey allowed four runs and five hits with one intentional walk and two strikeouts for a no-decision.

Red Sox beat Tigers 14-1 for 11th win in 13 games  —  DETROIT - Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] hit a three-run homer in a five-run second inning, and the hot-hitting Boston Red Sox [team stats] went on to rout the Detroit Tigers 14-1 in an eight-inning, rain-shortened game Thursday.

Owings Leads Diamondbacks to 6-3 Win Over Rockies  —  DENVER (AP) — Micah Owings pitched five effective innings for his first win in more than a year and Miguel Montero hit a three-run homer, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the slumping Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Thursday night.

Speculation about Bautista is unfair  —  It's pretty much understood that mainstream baseball writers botched the early coverage of players' steroid use.  Some of my columns for The (Baltimore) Sun in the late 1990s were downright embarrassing — not willfully ignorant, but sadly naïve.

Angels' Kendrick to DL; team signs Russell Branyan  —  The Angels placed infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick on the 15-day disabled list because of a right hamstring strain before Thursday's game against the Oakland Athletics.  —  In a corresponding move, the Angels signed free-agent …

Morrow looks to get Jays back to .500 against White Sox  —  The Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - After falling below .500 thanks to a second straight series loss, the Toronto Blue Jays look to rebound this evening in the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre.

Bryce Harper's journey in its early stage  —  Nationals' 18-year-old phenom attracting a lot of attention at Class A Hagerstown  —  LAKEWOOD, N.J. — The fans who gather along the dugout railings, with their Sports Illustrated covers and souvenir baseballs in hand, are hell-bent on getting a signature …