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 …

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.

Mark Prior pitches in game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees right-hander Mark Prior is back pitching after missing almost three months because of a strained groin.  —  The converted reliever said it was a step in the right direction Wednesday after allowing an unearned run and one hit …

Braves to shut down Medlen for six weeks  —  What the Braves thought was a minor setback for Kris Medlen in his recovery from elbow reconstruction surgery will now force them to shut him down for six weeks.  —  Braves general manager Frank Wren said Wednesday that Medlen is suffering …

Cardinals Sign Jaime Garcia To Four-Year Deal  —  The Cardinals announced that they signed Jaime Garcia to a four-year deal with two club options, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN).  Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the deal is worth $27.5MM in guaranteed money (Twitter link).

Ubaldo Jimenez not trade bait  —  PHOENIX — The fasting couldn't last any longer.  Twitter is a beast that must be spoon-fed hourly.  It needs trade rumors, slobbers for them.  An interesting link arrived in a retweet Tuesday morning as Fox Sports talked about the Reds' interest in Ubaldo Jimenez.

The 100 Worst Baseball Players Of All Time: A Celebration (Part 1)  —  Eric Nusbaum — This is a celebration.  I realize that sounds strange—compiling a list of the worst of something doesn't seem like a joyous occasion.  But by worst 100 baseball players I don't just mean the objective worst …

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 …

Christian Lopez won't pay taxes  —  If the fan who returned Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball has to pay taxes on the goods he received from the New York Yankees, companies are ready strike out his debt.  —  Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., scooped up the milestone baseball on Saturday.

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.

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 …

Blue Jays trade Juan Rivera to Dodgers  —  TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have traded outfielder Juan Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.  —  The 33-year-old appeared in 70 games for the Blue Jays this season …