Red Sox make pair of deals

NOTES

The Boston Red Sox tried to bolster their bullpen with yet another left-hander, getting Mike Remlinger and cash from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitcher Olivo Astacio.

The Red Sox also traded outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named. Cruz was acquired from Arizona on July 30 and went 3 for 12 in four games for Boston before he was designated for assignment on Monday.

The A.L. East-leading Red Sox cut lefties Alan Embree and John Halama last month, and Remlinger was designated for assignment by the Cubs last Friday. Remlinger was expected to join the Red Sox for their home game Tuesday night against Texas.

Congress questions Selig

Two congressmen looking for details about Rafael Palmeiro’s steroid suspension sent a list of questions to commissioner Bud Selig.

Rep. Cliff Stearns, a Florida Republican who introduced a bill to establish uniform drug programs in professional sports, and Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton want Selig to provide information about Palmeiro’s case, including a timeline.

The Baltimore Orioles’ slugger was suspended Aug. 1 for failing a drug test.

Palmeiro testified in March before the House Government Reform Committee that he never used steroids. That panel is investigating whether Palmeiro committed perjury and has Palmeiro’s permission to obtain documents from Major League Baseball about that test.

Farnsworth drops appeal

Bothered by a sore back, Atlanta Braves reliever Kyle Farnsworth decided to serve a five-game suspension for his role in a brawl last month.

The right-hander was suspended after his role in a bench-clearing melee involving the Detroit Tigers, his former team, and the Kansas City Royals.