Red Sox designate Cameron for assignment  —  PHILADELPHIA — The transition from starter to backup did not go nearly as well as Mike Cameron or the Red Sox had hoped.  Before Thursday's game against the Phillies, the Red Sox designated the veteran outfielder for assignment, effectively ending his stint with the team.

Winning, Mets not thinking fire sale yet  —  When the Yankees arrive at Citi Field this weekend, they won't see a “For Sale” sign atop the home dugout.  —  Jose Reyes is still a Met.  So is Carlos Beltran.  So is Francisco Rodriguez.  So is David Wright, albeit on the disabled list.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa talks about his career, Mark McGwire, the DH and a host of issues  —  The Cardinals' Tony La Russa, who graduated from Tampa's Jefferson High in 1962, never expected to be in baseball long enough for 2,682 managerial wins.

Source: Alburquerque headed to DL  —  Detroit Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque, the major league leader in strikeout rate among pitchers who have thrown at least 29 innings this season, is headed to the disabled list.  —  A source told FOXSports.com late Thursday that Alburquerque …

Astros buyer moves on from discrimination case  —  HOUSTON—Businessman Jim Crane has stayed out of the spotlight since the announcement that his investment group had reached a deal to buy the Houston Astros for $680 million.  —  As he awaits word on approval from Major League Baseball …

Busted!  NY Yankees' Star A-Rod Played In Illegal Hollywood Poker Ring  —  He was warned to steer clear of the underground poker world, but he simply didn't want to fold ‘em.  —  New York Yankees’ slugger Alex Rodriguez played in the illegal high stakes Hollywood poker ring that featured numerous …

Man claims New Brunswick mayor is preventing him from opening sports bar called Buck Foston's  —  NEW BRUNSWICK — A New Brunswick businessman has filed suit in federal court, charging New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill is holding up approval of his liquor license for a new high end sports bar …

Rockies acquire Mark Ellis from A's  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies bolstered their infield by acquiring veteran second baseman Mark Ellis from the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.  —  The Rockies sent minor league right-hander Bruce Billings and a player to be named to Oakland for the 34-year-old Ellis and cash.

Radio host sues LA Angels over alleged racism  —  A radio host formerly employed by the Los Angeles Angels has filed a lawsuit claiming he was dismissed for racial reasons.  —  In a complaint filed in California Superior Court earlier this month, David Smith alleged that the Angels Baseball Foundation rigged …

Classifying MLB's Closer Celebrations  —  All closers are different, but many of them share similar celebrations after successful saves.  Here we do our best to split them into groups.  —  Thursday afternoon, I sat down to lunch while waiting for my car to be fixed in the shop.

Mets and Jose Reyes start using ‘The Claw’ but Daniel Murphy struggles with the celebratory gesture  —  Mets shortstop Jose Reyes demonstrates the proper way to do ‘The Claw.’  —  DETROIT - Asked which Met's Claw is the best, Jose Reyes tries to suppress a grin, and fails his brief attempt at modesty.

Michaels, Costas to call Mets game on SNY  —  Al Michaels and Bob Costas will return to a baseball broadcast booth on July 8 to call Mets vs. Giants.  —  The duo will call innings for SNY, Comcast Bay Area and MLB Network.  —  When Michaels and Costas are on SNY, Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen and Ron Darling will move to MLB Network.

Games of Canada Day  —  The Phillies travel north of the border to celebrate Canada Day with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Kyle Kendrick faces Ricky Romero.  Kyle serves as the Phillies swing man, in the rotation when there is an injury, in the bullpen otherwise.  He sports a low ERA despite a low strikeout rate.