Padres Sign Jose Ruiz For $1.1 Million  —  The Padres have signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Ruiz for $1.1 million.  —  Ruiz, who is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, is a 16-year-old righthanded hitter from Guacara.  Scouts considered Ruiz one of the top catchers in Latin America this year …

Rangers give Nomar Mazara $5M bonus  —  ORLANDO — The Texas Rangers signed Dominican prospect Nomar Mazara on Saturday for a record bonus over $5 million, a source told ESPNdeportes.com.  —  Mazara, 16, is a 6-foot-5 outfielder who hits for power from the left side of the plate.

Torre takes to new role in MLB front office  —  Baseball has no bigger problem now than the disposition of the once showpiece Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, now fallen from grace, and how to pay the Dodgers' current employees, let alone the $21 million owed to former employee Manny Ramirez.

Mets' Buchholz Is Dealing With Depression and Anxiety  —  Taylor Buchholz, the 29-year-old Mets middle reliever, has had depression and anxiety since before he was placed on the disabled list a month ago with what the team had previously described as right shoulder fatigue.

Adrian Gonzalez likely bound for right field tonight — plus, links  —  HOUSTON — Get ready to see Adrian Gonzalez in right field one more time.  —  With two interleague games remaining, Terry Francona is leaning heavily toward playing Gonzalez in right field again here tonight in order …

Davey Johnson wants changes to Nats roster, staff … In his previous managerial stints, Davey Johnson never shied away from speaking his mind.  Eleven years away from the big-league game haven't changed that.  —  Before making his home debut as manager of the Nationals …

Cubs activate Marlon Byrd from disabled list  —  The Cubs have activated Marlon Byrd from the disabled list, exactly six weeks after he suffered facial fractures when he was hit by a pitch from Red Sox right-hander Alfredo Aceves on May 21.  —  Byrd is batting sixth and playing center field this afternoon against the White Sox.

Yankees Win First One at Citi Field, Beat Mets  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Teixeira hit a two-run double, Edurado Nunez had an RBI single among his career-high four hits and the New York Yankees took advantage of a generous call to help keep Jose Reyes off the basepaths in beating the crosstown rival Mets 5-1 on Friday night.

Oakland's Harden wins in return  —  OAKLAND, Calif.—Rich Harden pitched six strong innings in his season debut, Hideki Matsui had two RBIs and the Oakland Athletics beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Friday night.  —  Ryan Sweeney, Coco Crisp and Cliff Pennington each drove in a run for the A's …

Ozzie defends Pierre against all critics, including Sox GM Williams  —  CHICAGO, IL - JULY 01: Juan Pierre #1 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates a win with teammate Paul Konerko #14 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.  The White Sox defeated the Cubs 6-4.

Nicasio, Ellis Lead Rockies to 9-0 Win Over Royals  —  DENVER (AP) — Juan Nicasio allowed three singles over eight innings and Mark Ellis had three hits, including a two-run homer, in his Colorado debut as the Rockies beat the slumping Kansas City Royals 9-0 on Friday night.

For One Minor League Baseball Team, Never an Empty Seat  —  DAYTON, Ohio — The assembly line lives.  Back when this region thrived on heavy industry, a Delco plant bustled on the edge of downtown.  Nowadays, on the site where automobile parts once rolled off the belt, Dayton produces sold-out baseball games.

Why was Aubrey Huff crying after the Giants' victory?  —  It was the highlight that sparked a big question on Friday night.  Why was San Francisco Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff(notes) crying in the team's postgame handshake line?  Especially since they had just defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-3?

Vargas Holds Padres to 6 Hits in Mariners' 6-0 Win  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Jason Vargas held San Diego to six singles and didn't allow a runner past second base for his third shutout this season and the Seattle Mariners beat the Padres 6-0 Friday night.  —  Vargas (6-5) struck out seven …