Pregame news: Lester to DL  —  Jon Lester was scheduled to have an MRI this afternoon, but regardless of what the test shows, he's heading to the disabled list, Sox manager Terry Francona said at his press conference moments ago.  —  Lester is being replaced on the roster by Scott Atchison who will be used out of the bullpen.

K-Rod Makes Accountants Nervous  —  Rodriguez Is on Pace to Finish 61 Games, Which Would Trigger His Hefty $17.5 Million Option  —  LOS ANGELES—With 32 games finished so far this season, Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez entered Tuesday on pace to finish 61 games on the year.

Jeff Francis: Former Rockies pitcher talks Royals, Rocktober and Sports Illustrated cover  —  Ever wanted to ask a sports personality a question?  Now's your chance.  They will answer readers' questions in The Denver Post's “Fan Mail” feature.  —  Up this week is former Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis …

Brandon Webb likely out for year  —  Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb's MRI taken this week shows some changes in his rotator cuff and the club reports that Webb is weighing his options, which could include surgery.  —  This latest setback makes it likely Webb is done pitching for the rest of the 2011 season.

Chen's strong start, Hosmer's homer help Royals beat White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Bruce Chen pitched effectively into the seventh inning and Eric Hosmer hit a home run as the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Wednesday.  —  Chen (5-2) allowed four hits and a run and departed …

Giants' Bruce Bochy criticizes the criticizers  —  The All-Star selection process always engenders hard feelings.  This year, it has strained friendships.  —  Jack McKeon and Clint Hurdle, who manage the Marlins and Pirates, respectively, criticized Bruce Bochy for snubbing players on their teams.

Injured Polanco Expects to Play in All-Star Game  —  MIAMI (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco was held out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row Wednesday because of a sore back, and he plans to see a specialist when the team returns home for a weekend series against Atlanta.

Midseason Awards (cont.)  —  Around the Majors  —  • The Astros' Wandy Rodriguez may be as good as it gets among starting pitchers on this trade market, and that's assuming Houston consents to trading him, which is no certainty.  The Astros are talking to other teams …

Skeptics view Pujols' return as unnatural  —  ST. LOUIS - The day after Albert Pujols(notes) broke a bone in his left wrist, he asked his hitting coach, Mark McGwire, to do something that seemed utterly wrong.  —  “Mark,” Pujols said, “check my hand.”  —  Pujols extended it.  He wanted McGwire to shake it.

Beckham and the Comeback Kids  —  Quick question: At the beginning of the season, who had Tim Beckham pegged to play in this weekend's Futures Game?  The answer is nobody, and his selection for the contest is proof of a very important point when it comes to player development: Sometimes, things simply take a while.

Pirates begin discussions on trade deadline  —  Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that management will meet Wednesday to start talking about its needs and what moves the team might make in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.  —  “We're just trying to be smart with the moves we make,” Hurdle said.

Braun still out, sent for more tests  —  Still experiencing soreness in his left calf, All-Star left fielder Ryan Braun saw the Brewers' head doctor on Wednesday for a battery of tests that would include an MRI scan, manager Ron Roenicke said.  —  Braun missed his fourth consecutive start …

Damon leaves game, was hit twice by pitches, is getting X-rays  —  UPDATE, 2:27: Damon left the game with what the Rays are calling a contusion on his left hand and is getting X-rays.  —  DEVELOPING: Rays DH Johnny Damon left Wednesday's game after being hit twice by pitches by Twins LHP Francisco Liriano.

Calling Foul on N.B.A.'s Claims of Financial Distress  —  At midnight on Thursday, the N.B.A. locked out its players in what could be the start of a long labor dispute.  Some observers, like ESPN's Michael Wilbon, believe the entire 2011-12 season could be threatened.

No lie: Clemens trial is big waste of time  —  CLEVELAND — The word “perspective” has lately become a virus of our vocabulary, an easy catch-all to artificially minimize other problems.  —  Your air conditioner doesn't work?  Well, you just found out your next-door neighbor 's wife had an affair.

Field of sluggers set for Home Run Derby  —  Ortiz, Fielder to captain strong teams in annual All-Star event  —  With some of the best power hitters in the game assembled and some tough decisions made, the 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby field is final.  —  Set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday …