The Braves have added middle infield depth for the final month of the regular season, acquiring Jack Wilson from the Mariners on Wednesday night for a player to be named, according to an Associated Press report.

Jack Zduriencik signed a contract extension with the Mariners on Wednesday to continue as the team's general manager. Terms of the deal were not released, but it's believed to be for at least one year with an option for 2013.

The Tigers have sent minor league reliever Chance Ruffin to the Mariners to complete a July 30 trade. Detroit obtained starter Doug Fister and reliever David Pauley from Seattle in exchange for Ruffin, reliever Charlie Furbush and minor league third baseman Francisco Martinez. Ruffin, the 48th pick in the 2010 draft, has pitched as a minor league closer.

J.P. Ricciardi, a special adviser for the Mets, is expected to be in line for several general manager positions this winter. He has one year left on his contract with the New York. Ricciardi is expected to be in the running for potential openings with the Cubs, Mariners, Orioles, Astros, and possibly the Dodgers.

The latest popularity survey from E-Poll and Nielsen shows that four of America's ten favorite baseball players play for Philadelphia. Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay tops the list. He appeals to 70 percent of baseball fans. The remainder of the list looks like this: 2. Josh Hamilton, Rangers (62%) 3. Joe Mauer, Twins (60%) 4. Chase Utley, Phillies (57%) 5. Cliff Lee, Phillies (57%) 6. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners (57%) 7. Mariano Rivera, Yankees (56%) 8. Evan Longoria, Rays (54%) 9. Chipper Jones, Braves (53%) 10. Ryan Howard, Phillies (52%)

The Mariners have released designated hitter Jack Cust after he was designated for assignment late last week. Cust never developed into the left-handed power hitter Seattle hoped when they signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason. He hit just .213 with three homers in 67 games, eventually being relegated to the bench.

The Mariners wouldn't discuss right-hander Felix Hernandez with the Yankees prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. However, the belief is that New York would have offered a package of their four top prospects (Manuel Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Jesus Montero and Ivan Nova) to Seattle.