Drew Smyly threw 20 pitches off a mound Tuesday in his first bullpen session since landing on the disabled list with a left intercostal strain.

For two fourth-place teams, the Marlins and Padres seem to be going in different directions. But regardless of which way they're headed coming into this weekend's series in Miami, there's no doubt they'll be going there fast.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre was back in the lineup on Wednesday, one day after getting hit in the back of the head on a pitch thrown by Red Sox reliever Vicente Padilla.

Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan was the latest to chime in on Josh Hamilton's struggles at the plate, saying on his weekly radio show that Hamilton's at-bats aren't “very impressive,” and he doesn't seem to be locked in at the plate.

Hard to tell who was more pumped about the Hanley Ramirez acquisition: the cleanup hitter who now has Ramirez batting behind him for protection or the billionaire who made it possible.

Evan Longoria is scheduled to being a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Third baseman Kevin Youkilis left the White Sox's 8-2 win over the Twins on Wednesday in the fourth inning after mildly spraining his left ankle rounding first on a third-inning RBI single.

After giving up an early 5-1 lead and falling behind in the 10th inning, the Phillies rallied for a fourth straight win to finish a sweep of the Brewers, 7-6, on Wednesday, capped by Jimmy Rollins' RBI single.

The White Sox, who three days ago were riding a five-game losing streak, completed a three-game sweep of the Twins with an 8-2 win Wednesday.

Lance Berkman was out of the Cardinals' starting lineup on Wednesday and said he's still feeling pain from the deep bone bruise that forced him to leave Tuesday's game in the third inning.

A day after signing a six-year extension with the Phillies, Cole Hamels will start in a key NL East matchup against the resurgent Ben Sheets and the Braves Friday night in Atlanta.

Stephen Strasburg dominated in his fourth double-digit-strikeout game of the season, overwhelming the Mets in a 5-2 victory at Citi Field, clinching a series sweep for the Nationals.

In college showcase and travel baseball tournaments across the nation, scouts show up to watch a limited number of players perform at their highest level.

Seldom does one see the kind of comeback victory that the Braves notched at the beginning of this road trip. But erasing a nine-run sixth-inning deficit might not be as odd as the line Tommy Hanson produced in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Marlins.

As the Nationals inch closer and closer to their first postseason berth since moving to Washington in 2005, and the second in franchise history, the question is not going away. Are they really going to shut down Stephen Strasburg when he reaches that magical innings plateau?

Kevin Correia gave up just four hits and two runs over six innings and Garrett Jones hit a go-ahead RBI double to help the Pirates top the Cubs, 3-2, in Wednesday's finale at PNC Park.

The Marlins have made transactions at a rapid pace this week, and they may not be done as six days still remain until the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.