Searching for a spark

Outfielder Delmon Young was traded by Tampa Bay to Minnesota on Wednesday night as part of a six-player deal that sent right-hander Matt Garza to the Rays.

The Twins also gave up shortstop Jason Bartlett and minor league pitcher Eduardo Morlan while acquiring shortstop Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Jason Pridie.

Young, runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year, batted .288 with 13 homers and 93 RBI in his first full major league season. One of the game's top prospects, Garza went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA after he was called up right before the All-Star break.

La Russa pleads guilty

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pleaded guilty to driving under the influence Wednesday, eight months after police found him asleep inside his running vehicle at a stoplight and smelling of alcohol.

La Russa will serve at least six months'probation, pay a $678.50 fine, complete DUI school and any recommended treatment and complete 50 hours of community service.

Briefly

Indians:Injuries sustained by reliever Juan Lara in a weekend car accident in the Dominican Republic make it too dangerous to move him to the United States for treatment, a team spokesman said. The 26-year-old left-hander, who remains in critical condition, suffered a fractured spine, severe brain trauma, two broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Royals:Reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta agreed to a two-year contract and will compete for a spot as Kansas City's primary setup man.

Astros:Outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., the son of first-base coach Jose Cruz, was among four players who signed minor league contracts.

Awards:Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, who came back from a cancer diagnosis in 2006 to win this year's World Series clincher for Boston, was honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity through spirit, determination and courage.

Rays:A retractable roof made of fabric will be part of a new $450 million waterfront baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, who are without a completed plan on how to pay for it.

Mets:New York acquired reliever Brian Stokes from the Rays for cash.

San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman follows through with a delivery while pitching out of a bases loaded jam and saving the Padres' 6-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Saturday, May 26, 2007. It was Hoffman's 496 career save. " align="left" border="0">

Justin Germano keeps showing that he belongs in the big leagues. Backed by home runs by Mike Cameron and Jose Cruz Jr., Germano pitched well in his fourth start in place of injured Clay Hensley, helping the San Diego Padres to a 6-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night. Germano allowed two solo homers, which raised his ERA from 0.47 to 1.08, but otherwise continued to impress manager...