…The Texas Rangers will be without the services of Ian Kinsler for the rest of the season. ESPN.com is reporting that he will undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia in his abdominal wall. He’s been on the disabled list since August 18th, he wanted to come back without the surgery - but he acknowledged that wasn’t going to happen.

“The doctor said the progress I was making just wasn’t significant enough and if you don’t have surgery for this, it’s something you are always going to be dealing with,” Kinsler said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “It’s the only option.”

…Former Baltimore Oriole Todd Cruz has passed away at the age of 52. He died on Tuesday while swimming at his apartment complex in Bullhead City Arizona. The cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy to be done by the Mohave County Medical Examiners Office. Cruz had just recently been apart of a 25th anniversy celebration of the 1983 Orioles World Championship Team at Camden Yard.

…Bob Nightengale of the USA Today ponders whether or not CC Sabathia has been the best mid-season acquisition ever.

Ryan Braun seems to think so.

“We were a good team before,” All-Star left fielder Ryan Braun says, “but CC turned us into a great team. We’re so confident on the day he pitches that when we score one run, we think it’s going to be enough to win.”

The last time the Brewers were in the Playoffs where when my Uncle was the head trainer in 1982, of course they went on to loose in the World Series.

…Philadelphia Phillies first base coach Steve Smith has been suspended for three games by Major League Baseball for an on field argument last week against the Chicago Cubs. Smith will begin serving his suspension tonight against the New York Mets.

…Chicago Cubs Ace Carlos Zambrano has been diagnosed with right rotator cuff tendenitis and inflamation. This comes as a big blow to the Cubs shot at the post season and a possible shot at the world series. Though team officials hope that he’s only going to miss one start. They’re hoping for a return next week.

Quoth GM Jim Hendry.

“Hopefully he will be just missing this one start,” Hendry said. “I think it’s a relief that Z doesn’t have anything more significant than what we thought.”

…The Washington Nationals who rank 18th in attendance this year dispite playing in a brand new ballpark are going to lower some of their season ticket prices for next season. Prices will go down for about 7,500 seats in the new ballpark mostly in the outfield. The discounted seats will cost $5 to $10 less than this season. That would bring the season ticket price down to around $29.

…For 36 year-old journey man Scott McClain who spent more time in the minors than one would really want to keep track off, finally had a dream come true. After 19 years in professional baseball he finally hit his first major league home run. McClain is the is the oldest player to hit his first major league home run since 1955.

…Even though he recieved positive results from his most recent MRI, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Brynes knows that the 2008 season is over for him.

“Practically, I can’t look at this year,” Byrnes said.

“It is not a very realistic option. I’d love to play this year. But the other thing is, it’s not my call. That’s for the doctor and the team.

“The bottom line is I’ll be here the next couple of years. Those are very important for me and for the team. I have to make sure I come to spring training 100 percent.

“I have to be cautious and not jeopardize the next couple of years.”