Sources: Jeter returning Thursday  —  The Captain is back.  —  Derek Jeter will rejoin the New York Yankees on Thursday afternoon and is expected to be in their lineup at either shortstop or designated hitter against the Kansas City Royals, according to major league sources.

Before loss, Sox GM upbeat about future  —  Hahn really likes rotation but realizes team must beef up offense as prospects develop  —  White Sox manager Robin Ventura talks about Dylan Axelrod's struggles in an 8-5 loss to the Tigers  —  General manager Rick Hahn paints a rosier picture …

Live updates: Red Sox at Mariners  —  Top 3rd: Red Sox 4, Mariners 0 - David Ortiz is smoking hot.  Just launched his 19th homer to deep right-center with Dustin Perdoia aboard.  —  Top 2nd: Red Sox 2, Mariners 0 - David Ortiz breaks the all-time DH record for hits (1,689) double to left.

Baseball Union Head Assails Leaks on Drug Inquiry  —  NEW YORK — The head of the players' union said Thursday baseball's drug agreement could be undermined by leaks to the media about whether players are cooperating with an investigation by the commissioner.

Montero calls out Puig's behavior  —  D-backs catcher disappointed in Dodgers' rookie  —  PHOENIX — Like so many around baseball, D-backs catcher Miguel Montero has been captivated by Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig's historic first month in the Majors.  But when asked about the manner …

Brewers Sign Aaron Laffey  —  On this date ten years ago, the Marlins were making a surprising wild card push and traded for one of the best available relievers, Rangers closer Ugueth Urbina.  Double-A first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was part of the package going to Texas.

PED probe unseemly, tough to avoid  —  I hate baseball's investigation of Biogenesis.  —  Hate that the sport paid for evidence, according to Porter Fischer, a former associate of Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch.  Hate that baseball's top officials buddied up to Bosch — an alleged drug dealer — in exchange for his cooperation.

Rangers Expressed Interest In Aoki  —  The Rangers have expressed interest in Brewers outfielder Norichika Aoki during talks with the Brewers about starter Yovani Gallardo, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  Aoki has a cheap $1.5MM club option for 2014, so it's unclear whether the Brewers will move him.

Dodgers Beat Diamondbacks 7-5 in 14 Innings  —  PHOENIX — Hanley Ramirez and A.J. Ellis hit consecutive homers in the 14th inning off Josh Collmenter, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

Yankees Designate Travis Ishikawa For Assignment  —  The Yankees designated first baseman Travis Ishikawa for assignment to open a roster spot for Derek Jeter, they announced today.  Ishikawa, who received only two plate appearances with the Yankees, is expected to go on waivers today, MLBTR has learned.

Rockies win at San Diego as Tyler Chatwood pitches strong game  —  More photos.  —  SAN DIEGO — The future and present collided Monday night, with the outcome determining how close the Rockies would creep toward their awful past.  —  With all-star Carlos Gonzalez sidelined with a finger injury …

Pirates Break Loose, Beat Athletics 5-0  —  PITTSBURGH — Francisco Liriano scattered four hits over seven innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 on Wednesday night.  —  Liriano (9-3) struck out six and walked one.  He trimmed his ERA to 2.00 as the Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak.