Peter Diana, Post-Gazette "I'm looking forward to going home within a few hours of where I grew up and helping the Rangers challenge for a division championship," Kip Wells, a Houston native, said. Click photo for larger image.

Craig Wilson's phone rang early yesterday morning.

No, it was not that call. That would come much later.

This was Sean Casey, letting him know he was headed to the Detroit Tigers, the best team in Major League Baseball.

"I was happy for Sean," Wilson said. "I really was."

By the end of the day, Casey would not be alone in leaping up in the standings.

Kip Wells would go to the contending Texas Rangers, Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez to the first-place New York Mets. And finally, about 10 minutes before the 4 p.m. deadline, Wilson's phone rang with that call, and he was headed to the New York Yankees.

"Seems like it worked out for all of us who left," Wilson said. "For me, I can say it's exciting. I get to go somewhere where I'm wanted, where every game is important ... I'm really looking forward to it."

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Monday's results INDIANAPOLIS (59-48) beat Toledo, 4-2. LHP Shane Youman (1-0, 5.00), in his first start since being promoted from Class AA Altoona, allowed one run and six hits in seven innings. He struck out one, walked one and threw 57 of 91 pitches for strikes. RHP Jonah Bayliss (1.74) recorded his 17th save despite allowing a run in the ninth. 3B Yurendell DeCaster (.271) hit his 11th home run, a two-run shot, in three at-bats. ALTOONA (61-44) was off. LYNCHBURG (45-60) lost to Potomac, 6-4. RHP Luis Munoz (1-1, 4.50) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. C Neil Walker (.281) went 0 for 2 with two walks and allowed the opponent to go 3 for 3 in steal attempts. HICKORY (53-54) won at Rome, 9-4. RHP Jared Hughes (3-1, 5.85) allowed four runs, three earned, in six innings. RF Brad Corley (.285) and SS Cameron Blair (.215) each went 3 for 5 with a double. CF Andrew McCutchen (.283) went 2 for 5. WILLIAMSPORT (13-24) won at Jamestown, 4-2. RHP Mike Crotta (1-3, 3.00) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed two hits. RF Miles Durham (.193) hit his first home run and doubled in four at-bats.

Although Wilson had made no secret of his desire to leave -- largely because of a dramatic role reduction -- the player whose six-year tenure was the longest of anyone with the Pirates burned no bridges on the way out.

"I had a lot of good years, made a lot of good friends. You always think about staying in one place. But I wanted to play, too."

The Yankees expect that Wilson immediately will take the place of Andy Phillips at first base, then maybe share the duty.

"He provides Joe Torre with some flexibility," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Detroit thought enough of Casey to option first baseman Chris Shelton to Class AAA Toledo to clear space for him. Shelton had 10 home runs in April and made national headlines, but he has six since then.

"I'm excited," Casey said. "I really enjoyed my time back home, although it didn't turn out exactly the way I would have drawn it up because of all the time I missed."

A back injury forced him to sit out six weeks in April and May, making his stay in his hometown a brief one in more ways than one.

"But I feel great about the opportunity that there is in Detroit, especially at this stage of my career. It's going to be great being in a pennant race and great to be with Jim Leyland."

Wells, with the Pirates since 2002, gets not only a spot in a contender's rotation but also a return to his home state, being a Houston native.

"I'm looking forward to going home within a few hours of where I grew up and helping the Rangers challenge for a division championship," he said.

For Hernandez, it was a homecoming, too. He spent all of last season with the Mets and posted a 2.58 ERA.

The Mets assigned Perez to Class AAA Norfolk.

Duffy making return

Center fielder Chris Duffy will be back in the fold for the first time since May 14, when he refused a demotion to Class AAA Indianapolis and stayed out of baseball for a month. He has been the Indians' best player in the 26 games since returning, batting .349 out of the leadoff spot with 13 steals and 19 RBIs.

General manager Dave Littlefield would not predict if Duffy will be the full-time starter right away, but he did say, "He's going to get his opportunity. We'll see how it goes."

If Duffy is in center, Jose Bautista will move to right field.

Sharpless thrilled

Even with Casey the Upper St. Clair native gone, there remains a Pittsburgh component to the Pirates.

Reliever Josh Sharpless, who hails from Freedom, Beaver County, was the other player recalled from Indianapolis, and his taste of the big leagues will be the first.

"I'm just on cloud nine," he said. "I'm coming home to Pittsburgh to play for the Pirates."

Sharpless started the year with Class AA Altoona, then put up a 2.45 ERA in 23 games for Indianapolis.

He said Indians manager Trent Jewett pulled him out of batting practice last night to give him the news.

"I must have asked him, 'Are you serious?' five times," Sharpless said. "I couldn't even talk."

Buried treasure

Players can be traded until Aug. 31, but they must clear waivers. The Pirates will continue to offer outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and third baseman Joe Randa.

The 40-man roster is now at 36, not including the three players on the 60-day disabled list. Neither minor-league reliever acquired yesterday, Brian Rogers and Jesse Chavez, had enough experience to qualify for inclusion.

Wilson, on the most significant impact of the day's dealings: "No one will be happier than Jack Wilson because he finally gets to shave that 'J' off the back of his jersey."