Frank McCourt is offered $1.2 billion for Dodgers  —  The all-cash bid comes from Bill Burke, founder of the L.A. Marathon, plus 'state-owned investment institutions of the People's Republic of China' and unidentified American investors, a letter sent to Frank McCourt says.

Hudson gives rotation a lift as Braves top Nationals  —  ATLANTA - Tim Hudson gave the Braves' ailing rotation a lift and Atlanta got home runs from Brian McCann and Chipper Jones in a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.  —  The Braves are 8 1-2 games ahead of St. Louis …

Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez considering offseason surgery on ailing left shoulder  —  UPDATE: Marlins just texted an update on Hanley's MRI: “Left shoulder instability.  Willl discuss treatment options with Dr. (Lee) Kaplan this weekend.'  —  Hanley Ramirez is considering off-season surgery …

Einhorn seeks route to full Mets ownership  —  Hedge-fund titan David Einhorn wants a clear path to becoming principal owner of the Mets.  —  Einhorn is pushing Major League Baseball baseball to pre-approve him as an owner of the baseball franchise, even though it will be five years …

Jesus Montero to make MLB debut  —  BOSTON — The Jesus Montero Era has arrived.  —  Montero, the New York Yankees top hitting prospect, will make his major league debut against the Yankees biggest rivals on Thursday night at Fenway Park.  Montero, 21, is batting seventh as the Yankees designated hitter …

Wilson Hurt, but Pitches Rangers Past Rays 7-2  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — C.J. Wilson was perfect for five innings before exiting in the seventh with a hand injury and Ian Kinsler homered twice to help the AL West-leading Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Thursday night.

Brett Lawrie leads Blue Jays to 8-6 win over Orioles  —  BALTIMORE - Brett Lawrie hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, Yunel Escobar had his second straight four-hit game, and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 8-6 Thursday.

MLB Suspends Juan Carlos Paniagua, But Won't Say Why  —  Dominican righthander had $1.1 million deal with Yankees  —  A high-profile Dominican pitcher has received a second suspension and had his contract voided, only this time Major League Baseball hasn't said why—even to the team that had a deal with him.

On Baseball: Yankees-Red Sox Games Go On and On  —  If you feel guilty for falling asleep on your couch as you watch the Yankees play the Boston Red Sox, don't.  Mark Teixeira forgives you.  —  “It's brutal,” said Teixeira, the Yankees' first baseman.  “I can't stand playing a nine-inning game in four hours.

Royals score four in seventh, earn split with Tigers  —  DETROIT — Jeff Francoeur homered for his 1,000th career hit and drove in three runs, and the Kansas City Royals outlasted the Detroit Tigers 11-8 Thursday to salvage a split of their four-game series.

Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake to have neck surgery  —  Casey Blake, the straight-shooting, hard-working, likable third baseman, has decided to call it a season.  And perhaps a career?  —  Blake finally succumbed to the neck injury that has plagued him for the last two months …

Drew will be out at least a few more days  —  J.D. Drew had what amounts to a slight hairline fracture on the knuckle of his right middle finger and will need longer than a few days to come back.  Terry Francona did not discount the idea of Drew needing to play in a minor league game or two before being activated off the disabled list.

Fans can vote for Cohen, Kiner for Frick Award  —  NEW YORK — SNY broadcasters Gary Cohen and Ralph Kiner each have an opportunity to be immortalized in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  Mets fans can bring them to the doorstep.  —  Balloting is now open for fans …

Strasburg Allows 1 Hit Over 6 in Rehab Start  —  HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Stephen Strasburg allowed one hit over six shutout innings Thursday night for Double-A Harrisburg in what was expected to be his final minor league rehab start before he returns to the Washington Nationals.