Mets to begin talking with Reyes camp soon, in hopes of reaching new deal in coming weeks  —  Mets on Twitter  —  LOS ANGELES — Don't be so sure the Mets are waiting until after the season to talk turkey with Jose Reyes.  —  Multiple sources with knowledge of the process told The Post yesterday …

Pujols shows promise in return  —  Everything was in place for a storybook ending.  —  Albert Pujols, playing in his first game since June 19, stood at the plate with one out and a runner on first base in the ninth inning.  —  The Cardinals had rallied from an 8- deficit to tie the score …

Yankee Derek Jeter Poised to Make History - So What?  —  As Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is poised to reach 3,000 career hits in Major League Baseball, ABC's John Berman considers the Jeter FAQ.  And for another perspective, ABC's Rick Klein gives Berman a Bronx Cheer and answers those same FAQ's HERE.

Judge sides with MLB in Dodgers' bankruptcy hearing  —  Major League Baseball does not have to turn over a wide range of documents to the Dodgers or make Commissioner Bud Selig available for a deposition, the judge in the Dodgers' bankruptcy hearing ruled on Thursday.

Curt Schilling: 'There isn't a team in the last 20 years that has won clean'  —  LAST UPDATED 9 hours and 42 minutes ago  —  Staff report

Qualls being excoriated in San Francisco  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Before each plate appearance, San Francisco Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval steps out in front of the plate and does a ritualistic sort of tap dance with his bat and cleats.  Drives opponents, especially pitchers, nuts.

Ellsbury, Youkilis HRs back Wakefield in 6-4 win  —  BOSTON (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis had three extra-base hits apiece, and Tim Wakefield scattered nine hits in seven innings to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 6-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

Buddin fielded criticism  —  Former Red Sox shortstop Don Buddin died a week ago and nobody here noticed.  He was buried in South Carolina Sunday, but there was nothing in the Boston newspapers until yesterday.  Folks at Fenway didn't get the word of Buddin's passing until his son-in-law called them Tuesday.

Bucs decison-makers prep for Trade Deadline  —  PITTSBURGH — General manager Neal Huntington led a meeting on Wednesday in which manager Clint Hurdle and other key decision makers in the organization discussed the team's outlook approaching the July 31 Trade Deadline.