Astros owner Drayton McLane said on Tuesday that he expects the pending sale of the club to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane to be approved by Major League Baseball, perhaps by the middle of next week.

James Shields surpassed the 200 innings mark for the fifth consecutive season when he pitched his 10th complete game of the season Friday night against the Blue Jays, giving him 201 for the season.

Barring a setback Tuesday night in the fourth and final game of his Minor League rehabilitation assignment with Class A Wisconsin, center fielder Carlos Gomez is expected to resume active duty for the Brewers when rosters expand Thursday.

The first time Bobby Parnell recorded a save this season, he was nervous. The second time, not so much.

On Aug. 28, 2010, Leonys Martin defected from Cuba and fled to Mexico. He played in the Cuban National League and decided to pursue his dream of playing in the Major Leagues.

If Lance Berkman knows what he's talking about, and it sounds like he does, Berkman is going to finish 2011 with the Cardinals. St. Louis' star right fielder said on Tuesday that it's his understanding that the club has little to no desire to trade him to the Texas Rangers, despite interest on Texas' part.

Marlins third baseman Greg Dobbs spent part of his day on Tuesday at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, visiting 12-year-old Eli Shalomoff, who was injured by his foul ball on Monday night.

Hanley Ramirez had a setback in his rehab game on Tuesday night, and the three-time All-Star could possibly be done for the season.

There was a most welcome sight at Fenway Park on Tuesday afternoon. Right-hander Clay Buchholz, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his back and hasn't pitched for the Red Sox since June 16, played catch.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Grady Sizemore will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Wednesday, when he'll serve as the Aeros' designated hitter.

Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson knows there is still a chance he will not be ready to pitch again this year. But he was relieved to learn he is not dealing with a significant right shoulder injury.

After missing six games with a sore neck, Joe Mauer returned to the lineup on Tuesday night as the Twins' designated hitter. Mauer could return to his spot behind the plate on Wednesday.

The Nationals have already decided how their rotation will look in the next week, and barring any setbacks, it will include right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Dodgers at Nationals Park.

Pitchers Andrew Cashner and Chris Carpenter and outfielder Brett Jackson are among the Cubs' prospects who will play in the Arizona Fall League, which begins its 20th season on Oct. 4.

Given a day off from his injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville, Reds outfielder Chris Heisey was at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday to take batting practice.

A sentencing date of Dec. 16 has been set for Barry Bonds, whose conviction for obstruction of justice was upheld in federal court last week.

If history is any indication, Year 20 of the Arizona Fall League will be just as productive as the previous 19 editions. That means a large number of the players on this year's rosters, officially announced Tuesday, will not only go on to the big leagues, but they'll do so quickly and will become the next wave of Major League stars.