David Wells slipped a crisp, blue Dodgers cap onto his shaved head and wiggled into a baggy pair of baseball pants. Then he dashed up the runway to throw a quick bullpen session.

Boomer is back in the pennant race — and he doesn't have much time to prepare for his first start with Los Angeles.

The 44-year-old Wells made it official Friday, signing with the Dodgers for the rest of the season. The burly left-hander joined his new team at Shea Stadium and is scheduled to pitch against the New York Mets on Sunday night in a nationally televised game.

"I'm getting a second life here," Wells said. "I thought I was done."

Not yet.

Cut by his hometown San Diego Padres on Aug. 9, Wells said he'd been "sitting around" for more than two weeks. He didn't throw at all, besides playing catch with his kids a couple of times.

But as soon as he and the playoff-contending Dodgers agreed to a deal Thursday, they penciled him in to face the NL East leaders in an important game Sunday.

"Nothing like getting thrown in the fire. I've accepted a lot of challenges in my career, but this is going to rank right up there," Wells said. "I'm just going to go out and pour my heart into it."

The Dodgers made room for Wells by designating struggling right-hander Brett Tomko for assignment. Wells will replace Tomko in the rotation.

Fielder has suspension reduced: Prince Fielder had his three-game suspension that was handed down by the commissioner's office reduced to two games, and started serving it Friday night in San Francisco.

Fielder was suspended and fined an undisclosed amount for "inappropriate and aggressive conduct" during a confrontation with plate umpire Wally Bell on Aug. 12, when the Brewers lost 6-4 at Houston. The first baseman was ejected after arguing a called third strike.

Braves let Wickman go: Atlanta Braves cut ties with struggling closer Bob Wickman, designating him for assignment.

The move came a day after Wickman surrendered a game-winning two-run home run to the Reds' Adam Dunn. Wickman is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA and 20 saves in 26 chances.

Manager Bobby Cox did not reveal his new closer, which could be one of several pitchers. He said Rafael Soriano would probably serve in the ninth-inning role, but that "anybody out there would be a possibility."

The Braves also recalled right-handers Jose Ascanio from Double-A Mississippi and Joey Devine from Triple-A Richmond. Infielder Martin Prado was optioned to Richmond.

Indians minor leaguer suspended: A Cleveland Indians minor leaguer was suspended 50 games for violating baseball's minor league drug rules.

Juan Valdes, an outfielder for Single-A Mahoning Valley of the New York-Penn League, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Valdes is the 25th violation this year, the 22nd under the minor league program.