Doubting Big Papi gets old  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  TORONTO — A blog post on the indispensable baseball-reference.com caught the eye the other day: “David Ortiz [stats] is having the greatest season by a 35+ DH in history.”  —  The numbers are compelling.

San Francisco Giants update: Brandon Belt will play winter ball after all  —  SAN DIEGO — Brandon Belt wasn't excited when Giants officials broached the subject of playing winter ball.  But the rookie had a change of heart after meeting with manager Bruce Bochy on Wednesday.

Morgan takes his taunting of Cardinals to Twitter  —  DOWNTOWN  • Shortly after Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols offered up a complimentary view of Nyjer Morgan as a talented player who “sometimes goes a little overboard,” the Milwaukee Brewers center fielder had something to say about Pujols on Twitter.

Dodgers rule out Andre Ethier for the season with knee injury  —  Andre Ethier backtracked a bit from his comments last month suggesting the Dodgers were making him play through a knee injury, but manager Don Mattingly just announced that Ethier has been shut down for the season.

Newberg Report: Buckel up to challenge  —  Right-hander sees results upon joining Hickory rotation  —  Part 22 in a season-long series projecting a hypothetical 25-man roster made up solely of prospects from the Rangers' Minor League system.  —  Player comparisons are usually predictable.

Chase Utley out at least two days  —  PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will miss at least two games with what his team believes is a “very mild concussion,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Wednesday night.  —  Utley

Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Pena making a case to stay with Cubs  —  Reds baserunner Edgar Renteria is tagged out at the plate by Cubs catcher Koyie Hill as he tried to score from third base on a fly ball off the bat of Yonder Alonso to end the seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs …

The Continuing Story of Bungalow Phil  —  While his pitch count gently weeps.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)  —  As noted in the the Tuesday night game recap, Phil Hughes' continued inability to authoritatively shut down hitters after reaching favorable pitchers' counts …

Williams Stars as Angels Rally Past M's in 8th  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Maicer Izturis hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning, rewarding Jerome Williams for pitching eight innings of one-hit ball in the Los Angeles Angels' 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

McCutchen Homers Twice, Pirates Beat Astros 5-4  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen homered twice, pinch-hitter Jason Jaramillo singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Wednesday night.  —  McCutchen hit a solo homer …

Beckett able to rejoin team  —  No timetable for righty to pitch  —  Tim Wakefield, who lasted five innings and left with the lead, throws to first to hold a runner in the second inning.  (Fred Thornhill/Reuters)  —  TORONTO - Josh Beckett rejoined the Red Sox yesterday …

Phillies' Mayberry uses agent to try for date with ‘Pirates’ mermaid  —  John Mayberry(notes) will apparently do anything for a date with a mermaid.  —  Yes, somebody has playfully betrayed the young Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and leaked a series of emails that expose his diabolical plan …