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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

Cardinals Agree To Multiyear Deal With Jaime Garcia  —  The Cardinals completed a multiyear deal with southpaw Jaime Garcia, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.  Heyman believes an announcement on a four-year, $27.5MM deal with two options could come today.  Indeed, the Cardinals have scheduled a 12:30pm central time press conference.

James Harrison: Confessions of an NFL Hitman  —  Harrison, photographed at home with his own guns — an FN Five-Seven pistol and a Smith & Wesson 460V revolver.  Photo by Nathaniel Welch  —  Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been labeled the scourge of football — a one-man concussion machine.

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 …

From bullpen to rotation: Florida Marlins pitcher Clay Hensley penciled in to start Monday in New York against the Mets  —  Clay Hensley is penciled in to start Monday in New York against the Mets, Marlins baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said this morning.  —  Hensley opened the year in the bullpen.

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.