The Diamondbacks optioned pitcher Micah Owings to Class AAA Tucson of the PCL on Tuesday, as reported by Yahoo.com. Owings was rocked for eight runs and six hits in three innings in a loss to the Padres on Monday, his first start in nearly three weeks. Owings is 6-9 with a 5.93 ERA in 18 starts this season. One of the better hitting pitchers in baseball, Owings was often used a pinch hitter. He hit .288 (15-for-52) with one home run and three RBI. In a corresponding move, the the team recalled right-hander Jailen Peguero from Tucson.

The Phillies announced Monday that pitcher Adam Eaton, who has struggled over nearly two seasons with Philadelphia, has accepted an optional assignment to the minors, as reported by Yahoo.com.

Manny Ramirez is willing to help the Red Sox if the team decides they are better off without him. "If the Red Sox are a better team without Manny Ramirez, they should trade me; I will not object," said Ramirez in an interview with ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday.

Erik Bedard, who has been sidelined since July 4 because of tightness in his pitching shoulder, "Is a guy who just didn't fit here," according to the Mariners' official. "He needs to go somewhere where there's another strong personality who can kick his butt."

The White Sox put Joe Crede on the 15-day disabled list, replaced him with minor leaguer Josh Fields, and released veteran pitcher Esteban Loaiza on Friday, according to an Associated Press report.

With Kerry Wood possibly facing another trip to the DL, the Cubs could call up Jeff Samardzija.

Pedro Martinez learned shortly after Wednesday?s win over the Phillies that his father Pablo Jaime died in the Dominican Republic, according to a published report. The New York Daily News also reported that Martinez will miss Friday?s start against the Cardinals.

The Orioles and Nick Markakis engaged in negotiations for a contract extension in the past week, but those discussions halted yesterday and likely will not be rekindled until after the season, several baseball sources said. Markakis, 24, who is considered the cornerstone of the team's rebuilding plan, is eligible for arbitration after the season and is under the Orioles' contractual control through the 2011 season. Asked about the talks between the Orioles and Jamie Murphy, Markakis' agent, club president Andy MacPhail said: "We don't comment on negotiations."

Red Sox Manager Terry Francona plans to give Jed Lowrie more of a look at shortstop, according to The Boston Globe. Lowrie went hitless in four at-bats after replacing Julio Lugo on July 12. "We want to play this kid a little bit," Manager Terry Francona said Saturday. "This kid is steady. He has good at-bats, and kind of looks like Bill Mueller. I'm not sure that's not exciting." The main issue will be whether or not Lowrie is able to play consistently in the field. "He'll be measured by some by balls that he can't get to," Francona said. "But if he makes the routine plays consistently, makes the plays he's supposed to make, that's a good shortstop."

White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen believes that the focus should be placed solely on the team now as they sit in first place, according to The Beacon News. "One thing about the second half, no matter what has happened during the season, good or bad, people are not going to remember that," Guillen said. "It's all about the ballclub right now. It's not about 'my numbers.' I'm not saying it was in the first half, but it's a little different when you are in the pennant race. (The players) have a chance to do nice stuff for (themselves), and hopefully, they take advantage."