Freddy Sanchez

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area Major League Baseball players .   Gregg Zaun (St. Francis High, 1989) Tampa Bay Rays catcher: Things have been going well for Zaun since he was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 7. The Glendale native has slugged a pair of home runs since joining Tampa Bay, which won the American League championship last season. His latest came in the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays in a pinch-hitting role.

GLENDALE — Persistent rumors that swirled around baseball since prior to the All-Star break regarding a likely trade of Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants were finally validated on Wednesday. The three-time All-Star and former National League batting titlist was swapped for Double-A starting pitcher Tim Alderson in a move announced shortly after Sanchez’s new club completed a three-game sweep of his former one with a 1-0 10-inning victory at AT&T Park.

GLENDALE — Just two days after approaching All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson about signing a two-year contract extension, the Pittsburgh Pirates have cut off contract talks with both players after not getting a response from Sanchez or Wilson, the Associated Press reported on Sunday. The latest deal offered by the Pirates would have paid Sanchez $10 million over the next two seasons, but would have required him to waive the incentive clause in his current contract that would earn him $8.4 million due in 2010 if he makes 600 plate appearances in 2009.

GLENDALE — When New York Yankees star closer Mariano Rivera induced a popout by Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, the American League clinched the Major League Baseball All-Star Game with a 4-3 win over the National League and Freddy Sanchez ended the game where he began it — on the bench. Amid trade talks and injury problems, the Burbank High graduate and former Glendale Community College standout also found himself snubbed from any playing time for the NL squad, which saw the American League improve to 12-0-1 in the last 13 Midsummer Classics with its win in St. Louis on the strength of Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson’s game-winning run in the eighth inning.

GLENDALE — The honor doesn’t get old for Freddy Sanchez. Having been chosen to take part in two previous All-Star games, the former Burbank High and Glendale Community College standout was hoping to be considered for a third time after putting together a stellar season thus far. Sanchez, 31, received good news Sunday, as he was selected as a reserve by Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel to be a part of the 33-player National...