Brewers Acquire Francisco Rodriguez  —  WEDNESDAY, 12:38am: The Mets are sending $5MM to Milwaukee, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).  That will essentially cover Rodriguez's 2011 salary.  —  TUESDAY, 10:58pm: The Brewers surprised some people by trading …

Joe Buck Cites Willie Mays ‘Interview’ from Wall Street Journal that Never Happened  —  FOX MLB announcer Joe Buck was providing commentary during the All-Star Game about several players skipping the Midsummer Classic.  Buck was obviously dissatisfied that so many players elected not to partake in the game …

Players' ideas would improve All-Star game  —  PHOENIX - Bud Selig's brainwashing is still working.  One of these years, the players in Major League Baseball are going to look at the dumbest rule in the sport - the All-Star game determining home-field advantage in the World Series …

PHOENIX — Arizona's fans booed new villain Prince Fielder every chance they got, letting him know what they thought of his choices for the Home Run Derby.  —  Milwaukee's big first baseman sent them a message with one big swing of the bat: shhh!  —  Shaking off two days of boos …

Beckett bows out with recurring knee soreness  —  PHOENIX — Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett was confident he would be able to pitch in Tuesday night's All-Star Game, but when he tried to warm up, his left knee told him something different.  —  Beckett was supposed to pitch the bottom …

The Yankees on the Yankees  —  We Asked the Tough Questions: Who'd Win ‘Jeopardy’?  Who Has Your Back in a Brawl?  Who Would Be Class President?  —  Photo Illustration by Patrick Conlon / The Wall Street Journal; Everett Collection, Southcreek Global/Zuma Press  —  Nobody knows a baseball player like his teammates.

Rangers Place Scott Feldman On Outright Waivers  —  The Rangers placed starter Scott Feldman on outright waivers, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  The waivers expire in about two hours.  The Rangers' goal appears to be avoiding adding Feldman back to the 40-man roster …

Here's to you, Ryan Howard  —  ON THE DAY AFTER the All-Star Game was played in Phoenix without Ryan Howard, this column is directed at the haters and bashers who have been coming out of the woodwork in larger numbers than usual.  —  They are predictable as smog in a heat wave.

All-Star Game getting the cold shoulder  —  Players backing out of Midsummer Classic threatens showcase event for baseball … PHOENIX — Major League Baseball introduced a controversial initiative in 2003, giving home-field advantage in the World Series to the winning league in the All-Star Game.

Dodgers acquire veteran outfielder Rivera  —  Club designates journeyman outfielder Thames for assignment  —  LOS ANGELES — Trying to address their hole in left field, the Dodgers on Tuesday acquired right-handed hitter Juan Rivera and cash from the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named or cash considerations.