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.

Astros five-run inning beats Pirates, snaps five-game slide  —  PITTSBURGH — Hunter Pence had three hits, including an RBI single during a five-run sixth inning, and the Houston Astros snapped a five-game losing streak with an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Jurrjens Win 12th as Braves Beat Rockies, 9-1  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer, Jair Jurrjens earned his NL-leading 12th win and the surging Atlanta Braves beat slumping Colorado 9-1 on Wednesday night.  —  Dan Uggla added a two-run homer in the eighth and Jordan Schafer …

No Delay in Jeter's Pursuit of 3,000  —  CLEVELAND — Derek Jeter and Joe Girardi spoke sometime around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the visiting manager's office at Progressive Field, and their conversation spilled over into a series of late-night text messages.  Jeter tried to change his mind …

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.

Rockies' CarGo takes BP, might start Thursday  —  ATLANTA — It isn't Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett.  But on paper tonight's game is a mismatch.  The Braves are healthy and starting Jair Jurrjens, arguably the National League's best pitcher in the first half.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.