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• Center fielder Mark Kotsay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Braves on Wednesday, one day after Boston put J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain. Kotsay, 32, hit .289 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 88 games with the Braves. He was scratched from Atlanta's lineup Tuesday night because of the pending deal. "I'd have to say it's my weirdest night as a professional in the big leagues," Kotsay said after the game. "I've never been scratched for that type of reason." The Braves acquired minor-league outfielder Luis Sumoza in the deal. Boston manager Terry Francona said Kotsay will start in right field today in the finale of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

• Josh Hamilton, who leads the major leagues with 116 RBIs, was a late scratch from the Rangers lineup against the Royals on Wednesday night because of an abscessed tooth. Hamilton, who was hitting .298 with 29 home runs, was replaced by rookie Brandon Boggs in the lineup. Boggs led off the Texas fourth with a home run.

• Indians outfield prospect Matt Laporta, who was hit in the head with a ball playing for the U.S. Olympic team, was cleared for baseball activities and is expected to play Friday for Cleveland's Double-A affiliate in Akron. He was acquired in the trade that sent C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee.

• Rangers right-hander Vicente Padilla will miss his scheduled start Friday against the Angels because of inflammation in the muscle joint between the neck and shoulder.

• The Tigers optioned right-handed pitcher Chris Lambert to Toledo and recalled infielder Jeff Larish from the Triple-A team Wednesday.

• The White Sox have a major-league-leading 49 homers in August.

— The Associated Press