No decision from Phils on Myers' status

ARLINGTON -- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel wasn't ready to reveal any decision on Sunday about the status of starter Brett Myers, if he has made one regarding the struggling right-hander.

Myers remains in limbo for his next start, scheduled for Thursday in Atlanta, though he seems unlikely to take that turn.

"I'll have it by Tuesday, probably," Manuel said. "We'll talk about it [Monday]."

Manuel will have discussions with pitching coach Rich Dubee and general manager Pat Gillick, who said on Sunday's pregame show that the Phillies might make an "adjustment" to the rotation.

"Right now, that's the way we're leaning, but we'll think about it," Manuel said. "I'll talk to Doobs [on Monday] or on the plane tonight. We even might have something for you [Monday], but most likely Tuesday."

The likeliest scenario has reliever Chad Durbin starting on either Thursday or Friday, depending on how Manuel adjusts his rotation for Monday's off-day. Hamels could start Thursday, on regular rest, with Durbin sliding in Friday to give Jamie Moyer an extra day of rest. Moyer would then pitch on Saturday.

Another move would be to recall J.A. Happ from Triple-A or Carlos Carrasco from Double-A. Each would be well-rested and ready, but each would require the club to make a roster move, such as designating reliever Clay Condrey for assignment and risk losing him to another team.

Either way, Manuel feels that a mental break could help Myers. With a 3-9 record and a 5.84 ERA, he could likely use some time to clear his head.

"He's definitely kind of mentally spent right now," Manuel said. "I want to make sure we do what's right for the team and Brett. We'll talk about the guys we've got on our staff, things we can or want to do. I haven't made my mind up yet."

Like the Tigers recently did to struggling lefty Dontrelle Willis, the Phillies won't be sending him to Class A.

"That's not one of our options," Manuel said.

All-Star locks a thing of the past

All-Stars.

There was a time in Major League Baseball's history when you simply said those two magical syllables and in your mind you saw their faces. Ozzie Smith. George Brett. Rickey Henderson. Rod Carew. Often you didn't think twice about it. Once the ballots came out, many of the starters were foregone conclusions.

Cal Ripken Jr. was going to be there at shortstop in the All-Star Game, the way Ernie Banks and Luis Aparicio once were. Same with Gary Carter and Carlton Fisk behind the plate, just like Yogi Berra before them. Albert Pujols at either third or outfield or first, just like Pete Rose back in a halcyon time.

Barry Bonds, Tony Gwynn and Reggie Jackson were going to be starting in the outfield, the same way Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle were a July fact of life before them.

These are things fans just came to expect, and punching someone else on that paper ballpark ballot was fun and yet seemingly futile in places. No matter what, the big names were going to be in the Midsummer Classic. It was the All-Star Game. It was an exhibition designed after the Great Depression so that fans could see what it looked like to have Babe Ruth on the same field as earls and lords among a king.

So you accepted it, because that is just the way it was. And you punched and you punched and you punched, and Steve Garvey was still there at first, and then Darryl Strawberry was still there in the outfield. Sometimes there was ballot-stuffing, and at one point the vote had be taken away from the fans, who eventually took it back and kept right on putting seemingly the same people there over and over.

Welcome to 2008, a world where you have to work for an All-Star starting assignment harder than any Major Leaguer had to before.

With little exception (read: fans who will keep e-mailing complaints here about American League shortstop), it's not like that anymore. Fixtures are becoming rare. It is the day when a rookie named Geovany Soto of the Cubs can start behind the plate for the National League, when a second-year outfielder named Ryan Braun of the Brewers is the voting rage, when youngsters like Joe Mauer of the Twins and Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins make bold moves late in the balloting and wait for the word.

There are two days left to make a difference in the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Vote exclusively at MLB.com. It is online only at this point, right up until the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline on Wednesday. You can submit up to 25 ballots per e-mail address. Millions more votes will be cast between now and that deadline, demolishing fan balloting records at MLB.com. The final volume, including all of those final ballpark ballots that are thrown into the mix, will be staggering, reflecting a massive voting power.

Starting rosters will be announced during the 2008 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on Sunday. Then the mayhem simply continues. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the 32nd and final player on each team via the Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote at MLB.com.

In this collective process today is the increasing removal of error, of doubt, and if you have a problem with that, then you have those 25 votes and you have a free blog of your own to campaign for your guy all over the Internet. You have the benefit of not only watching the games in person or on TV/radio, but also watching them live over your computer with MLB.TV and on your mobile phone and soon your new iPhone.

Fans are watching closer than they used to for many reasons, ranging from the most common -- love for a team -- to hero-worship to fantasy managing. It is going to be harder than ever to just show up on a ballot now and be an automatic, the way those guys were for so many years before technology grew and grew. That is not to take anything away from those legends of the past -- the Hall of Famers who made a tradition what it is -- but anyone watching closely can see the modern transformation.

Each year, there are stories about what a new-looking class of All-Stars this is. The same stories will be written this time. When the time comes for that MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade presented by Chevrolet, those trucks carrying players to Yankee Stadium on July 15 will be filled with some barely recognizable faces.

All-Stars.

It is not your parents' All-Star ballot, definitely not your grandparents' ballot. It is a time when a 100,000-vote lead entering the final two days is definitely changeable. If anything, it is cause for fans of a leading player to worry just a bit and keep pouring it on. Here is a look at some of the closest races you will decide:

AL outfield: This one is really interesting, and it's another example of once-stalwart All-Stars having to work for it. Take Ichiro Suzuki, for instance. He has been one of those quintessential All-Stars for much of this decade, and last year he was the Midsummer Classic's MVP. But he is barely hanging onto the third and final spot here, behind Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox and Josh Hamilton of the Rangers. It is actually a six-way battle for third, because only 338,475 votes separate Ichiro from that sixth contender, Milton Bradley of the Rangers. Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels is 210,187 behind Ichiro, Bobby Abreu of the Yankees is only 45,655 behind Guerrero, J.D. Drew of the Red Sox is only 6,960 behind Abreu, Johnny Damon of the Yankees is only 29,668 behind Drew and then Bradley is only 46,005 behind Damon.

What a pack. And right at the top of it, for what it's worth, Hamilton -- despite struggling this month (.277 in June, with six hits in his last 28 at-bats during the longest homerless streak of his season) -- is right on Manny's heels and could wind up as the top AL outfield vote-getter.

AL second base: Ian Kinsler of the Rangers is getting a lot of late support, and it will be interesting to watch this battle down to the wire. Leader Dustin Pedroia has the notoriety of a big 2007 postseason in helping the Red Sox to the World Series, and he has that big Red Sox Nation fan base. But Kinsler has the numbers. Will anything change? Two days to decide. Pedroia has 1,669,216 votes, Kinsler 1,485,530.

AL catcher and first base: Mauer roared past Boston captain Jason Varitek in last week's voting update. Yes, Twins fans have spoken. But when you are this far over 100 million total votes cast in online voting -- a milestone passed in record time -- it is the collective voice of a great majority. Will the usual voting power of Red Sox Nation be enough to make up the difference for him? And will it be enough to keep Kevin Youkilis out in front of Justin Morneau at first base? Youkilis -- left off the ballot last year because there was no designated hitter and teammate David Ortiz was listed at first -- was leading with 1,915,376 votes. Morneau had 1,641,467.

NL shortstop: Hanley Ramirez is bidding to become the first Marlins player in history to start a season with Florida and be elected to start an All-Star Game (Gary Sheffield started the 1993 season with San Diego.) Ramirez has 1,483,875 votes, and two weeks after his leapfrogging of Miguel Tejada, he leads the Houston shortstop by 168,635 votes.

NL outfield: Braun is gaining faster with each week's voting updates, and now it is crunch time for the Brewers slugger. Two last days to vote. Will he make it? Chicago's Alfonso Soriano now leads with 2,120,635, followed by Junior Griffey of the Reds at 1,917,739 and Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs at 1,783,983. Braun has 1,751,058, so the difference between Fukudome and him is now a rounding error. It's a late battle between Cubs and Brewers fans, just like it was during the last pennant race.

Other projected starters in the NL are Lance Berkman of the Astros at first, Chase Utley of the Phillies at second, Chipper Jones of the Braves at third and Soto behind the plate. In the AL, those with leads that can be considered safe are Ortiz at DH, Alex Rodriguez at third and Yankees teammate Derek Jeter at short.

That was a short paragraph. Never before in this decade have so few projected starters been clear with only two days remaining in the balloting. But that's the state of All-Star voting in 2008. It's much different than it used to be.

The voting does not stop after the All-Star rosters are determined. Fans have the annual opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the All-Star Game via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP vote at MLB.com.

Willis set to pitch for Class A Lakeland

DETROIT -- Dontrelle Willis' road back to the Major Leagues begins Sunday night at Class A Lakeland.

The struggling left-hander will pitch two innings against Daytona at Joker Marchant Stadium. The outing will mark the first time Willis has thrown in a game since the Tigers optioned one of their key offseason acquisitions to the Minor Leagues after he allowed eight runs in 1 1/3 innings on June 9.

The Detroit organization will take its time with Willis. The club has set no timetable for his return.

"Our objective is to get Dontrelle back to being Dontrelle," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said on June 9. "We don't want to put a timeframe on this; we want to get it right. The arm strength is still there, on occasion. The breaking ball is still there. But we want to get him back to being comfortable throwing strikes."

At Lakeland, Willis has worked with the organization's pitching coordinator, Jon Matlack, and Lakeland pitching coach Joe Coleman to iron out severe control problems that have plagued the 2005 NL Cy Young Award runner-up since Spring Training.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he will monitor the reports from Lakeland.

"We'll see what happens," Leyland said Sunday afternoon. "That's far, far down the road."

Willis came to Detroit in the December trade that also included Miguel Cabrera. The Tigers then signed him to a three-year, $29 million contract. Willis went on the disabled list for the first time in his career in April after hyperextending his right knee.

He made five appearances this season, with four starts and the first regular-season relief outing of his career. Willis pitched a total of 11 1/3 innings, during which he walked 21 batters.

Hamels-Blalock showdown on hold

ARLINGTON -- While no injury comes at a good time for a player, the painful right wrist has been particularly unfortunate for Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock.

It forced him to watch Philadelphia lefty Cole Hamels from the Texas bench on Saturday night, instead of digging in against a fellow Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) High School graduate.

"That was one of the days I had circled on the calendar," Blalock said. "It would've been fun, a little Rancho Bernardo matchup. I'll be able to face him in the future."

Hamels also hoped to challenge the older brother of Jake Blalock, one of Hamels' best friends and a Minor Leaguer in the Phillies' organization. Hank Blalock always treated Hamels well in high school, despite the age gap.

"I've never faced him competitively," Hamels said. "I thought that would be interesting. I know there will be another opportunity. It's nice to see one of your teammates playing in the big leagues."

The Blalocks were a big part of Hamels' life. Sam Blalock, Hank's uncle, coached the high school baseball team, while Dana Blalock, Hank's father, coached the Encinitas Reds, a traveling team in San Diego.

Blalock came to Philadelphia with the Rangers in 2005 -- while Hamels was in the Minor Leagues. He's always followed the young Phils lefty's career.

"When he was a freshman, with how smooth his mechanics were, and his control, I always thought if he could get bigger and stronger and learn to throw harder, he could be a big-time pitcher," Blalock said of Hamels. "He always had a good changeup, and that's a tough pitch to learn. If it comes naturally to you, obviously you can see the results. He's turned himself into a No. 1 starter."

Blalock suffers injury setback

ARLINGTON -- If there's a clubhouse pool on the date that Hank Blalock will return from the disabled list, Blalock himself probably isn't faring well in it.

The Rangers third baseman acknowledged on Friday he was growing tired of predicting when he'd be back, and said he hoped to return July 7 against the Angels. But before the day was over, his prediction was already derailed.

"I went and took some easy swings and it was about as sore as it was my second game in Oklahoma, which was pretty sore," Blalock said of his right wrist, which has kept him sidelined since April 26.

In Blalock's second game during his medical rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma on June 22, he jammed his right hand diving for a ground ball, causing his hand to swell up. Blalock was hoping Friday would be the beginning of his next attempt to get back on the field. Instead, it convinced him that he needs to take it easy until his hand fully heals.

"I've been pushing myself the whole time I've been injured, but my doctor told me by doing that, I'm not letting it heal. I have to be patient and let it heal this time," he said.

Blalock's plan as of Saturday is to steer clear of bats and gloves for the next week and just focus on conditioning to allow his hand to heal. If his doctor gives him the go-ahead at week's end, he will he resume baseball-related activities.

Manager Ron Washington knows this is the only way to keep Blalock from pushing himself too hard.

"We need the injury to subside and the doctor said, for it to subside, he has to shut it down for a week, so we're going to shut him down," Washington said. "We have to tell him to do nothing because if we don't, he'll push himself."

As frustrating as this process has been for Blalock, the competitor in him has him circling yet another date as his target to return to action.

He now hopes to go on another rehab assignment during the All-Star break so he can return to the Rangers in the team's first game back from the break against the Twins on July 18.

"I would hope to rehab during the break and come back right after," Blalock said.

Phillies may move Myers to bullpen

ARLINGTON -- Struggling starting pitchers typically say the worst part about a poor outing is waiting five days until the next one.

Brett Myers may have to wait longer.

A day after the shortest outing of Myers' career, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and pitching Rich Dubee acknowledged the possibility that the right-hander may not make his next start, scheduled for Thursday in Atlanta, the final game of a 10-day road trip.

"We'll see what we're going to do about it," Manuel said.

Myers is testing the patience of his manager and pitching coach and appears to be in his own head more than ever. He declined to speak after his two-plus inning stint on Friday -- in which he blew a 5-1 lead in the third by allowing five straight Rangers to reach base -- and didn't want to talk on Saturday, either.

His struggles began on his second pitch of the game to leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler, an 88-mph fastball that followed a changeup. Kinsler smacked it for a home run.

"He got shot on the second pitch and that was it," Dubee said. "He went away from his fastball, just like that. That's what I saw."

Dubee hoped to see progression from Myers' previous outing, when the righty pitched well against the Angels. Though he gave up three homers, Dubee was pleased with the life on his fastball.

"I thought it was something to build off," Dubee said. "If you're going good and you're strong-willed enough, you shake off [Kinsler's home run]. There's a point on the board. You can't do anything about it now. You just have to move on."

Dubee noticed a disturbing trend, estimating that Myers threw 24 fastballs out of his 66 total pitches, only half for strikes. On a typical Myers night, he'll throw 50-55 percent fastballs.

In throwing 25 pitches to his final five batters in the third inning, Myers only threw 11 fastballs. Myers' lack of confidence in his heater is getting the best of him.

"Somewhere, he lost that edge," Dubee said. "Some of it is delivery. Sometimes it's approach. Sometimes you have to trust your stuff and get after it. We'll try to get him to mix. We try to get him to establish his curveball with his fastball, and then all of a sudden, he doesn't establish his fastball. He has to find the right approach. It's like a ping-pong ball. He keeps going back and forth."

Though Dubee acknowledged that the team saw "a different animal" with Myers in the bullpen, Manuel thought that was because he was happy closing. If the team were to make a change, Myers could pitch in middle relief.

"He's trying to find it and everything he does doesn't seem to work," Manuel said. "You see guys who walk up to home plate and look like they can hit everything up there, and that same hitter a month later can't [make contact]."

The Phillies have a number of different options. They could switch Myers and Chad Durbin. They could use Monday's off-day to bring back Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer on their regular days, though that might only push Myers' start back two days. J.A. Happ, pitching well for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, started on Saturday and could make a spot start.

Regardless, the guy with the National League's sixth-worst ERA among starters with more than 80 innings can't continue pitching like this.

"We're on different roads," Dubee said. "Hopefully, he'll find the right lane pretty soon. We keep chatting. We keep instructing. We keep trying to push the right buttons. We'll see."

Astros interested in free agent Garcia

HOUSTON -- The Astros are interested in free-agent right-hander Freddy Garcia.

"I talked to his agent, Peter Greenberg, earlier in the week, and he informed me that Freddy is expected to be ready to throw in front of scouts soon," Astros general manager Ed Wade told MLB.com on Friday afternoon. "I let him know that we want to be there."

Garcia, 33, hasn't pitched since June 8, 2007, for Philadelphia and has been rehabbing from right shoulder surgery.

The two-time All-Star came up through the Houston organization before the Astros traded him to Seattle on July 31, 1998, along with Carlos Guillen and John Halama, for Randy Johnson.

Garcia won 17 games for the White Sox in 2005 and three more in the postseason that year, including a win against Houston in the World Series.

Christian makes Yankee Stadium debut

NEW YORK -- For Justin Christian, there are many lessons to be learned as a Yankees left fielder.

For example, before Friday's game against the Mets at Yankee Stadium, a clubhouse attendant razzed Christian for spreading his belongings around his locker, intruding into pitcher Joba Chamberlain's space.

But more importantly, he was learning how to deal with the nerves of his debut at Yankee Stadium. And Friday's doubleheader opener was the first game of the Subway Series. Quite an introduction.

"I've been thinking about something like this since I was a little kid," Christian said. "It's just one of those things where it almost doesn't feel real. But it will be very real very soon."

Still, Christian said he doesn't feel more comfortable anywhere else than when he's on the baseball field. He's played on many fields, as he went undrafted out of high school and college -- he attended three different ones, including a community college -- and played independent ball in O'Fallon, Mo., before the Yankees assigned him to their Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2004.

Christian was called up for Tuesday's road opener against the Pirates, and he batted 3-for-8 with two RBIs in two games. He's filling in for injured outfielders Johnny Damon, who started in Thursday's rained-out series finale at Pittsburgh, and Hideki Matsui. Manager Joe Girardi said Damon will start in Friday's nightcap at Shea Stadium.

Christian has yet to attempt to steal a base, his specialty. He was batting .309 with four home runs, 39 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 55 games at Triple-A. Christian has stolen 235 bases in his Minor League career, and has been caught just 39 times.

And while the 28-year-old won't need to worry about the distance between bases, he's had to deal with different ballpark dimensions.

"The field's bigger, higher backdrops, different angles and stuff," Christian said. "To me, that's the hardest thing, being able to make those right adjustments when you're playing defense. Because I never played on this field. I never played in Pittsburgh.

"It'll take me a little bit to get used to."

Just like it took a little time to figure out where he could lay his stuff around his locker.

Veteran duel goes Wakefield's way

BOSTON -- It was like a Golden Oldies night on Wednesday at Fenway Park, where Tim Wakefield and Randy Johnson performed their crafts as effectively as any young guns could have.

But those two pitchers defying their birth certificates yet again was a far more likely occurrence than the baseball that boomed off Kevin Cash's bat and sailed into the parking lot beyond the Green Monster.

"It was exciting," said Cash, who hadn't hit a homer since June 21, 2005. "I haven't really been swinging the bat well over the last four or five starts I've been out there. So it was nice to get a hold of one."

Just as you never expect Cash to be intentionally walked in a baseball game, he also hardly ever qualifies as a hitter with parking-lot power. Yet both feats occurred on a night when Wakefield (seven shutout innings, two hits) and the Red Sox upended Johnson's Diamondbacks, 5-0, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

By the time the bottom of the sixth inning had rolled around, neither pitcher had given much more than an inch. With Boston runners at second and third and one out, D-backs manager Bob Melvin ordered up the first intentional walk of Cash's career. That set up a seemingly favorable lefty-lefty matchup between Johnson and Red Sox rookie Brandon Moss.

Melvin's well-intentioned move didn't get the desired result, as Moss belted a liner to right that Justin Upton made a nice catch on for a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0, Red Sox.

"He actually took a real good swing with the bases loaded," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "I thought their right fielder ended up making a real tough play not look that tough. Off the bat, that's extra bases."

Two innings later, you could at least see what Melvin had envisioned when calling for that intentional pass of Cash. This time, there were again runners on second and third, but nobody out. With reliever Juan Cruz on for the D-backs, Cash worked a nice eight-pitch at-bat before pummeling that three-run homer, which gave the Red Sox a 5-0 cushion. Talk about cashing in.

The last homer Cash hit was against one Randy Johnson at Yankee Stadium some 128 at-bats ago.

"That's something to tell the grandkids," Cash said. "Home run off Randy, and then an intentional walk [on Wednesday]. Must be a full moon or something."

Cash's main job is to catch Wakefield, and that arrangement has been working rather well of late. In Wakefield's last six starts, he is 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA.

"He was outstanding," Cash said. "The last four or five starts, he's just been incredible. He doesn't have the wins like I'd like for him to have or probably he would like to have, but he's giving us the opportunity to win a lot of ballgames this year."

Wakefield sensed a change in momentum on May 28 in Seattle, when he lost, 1-0, to Erik Bedard.

"I've really felt comfortable the last six starts, ever since that start in Seattle," said Wakefield. "[Pitching coach] John Farrell and I worked on my mechanics and figured something out, and it seems to be working, so I'm not going to change anything."

Nor should he. The D-backs tried to prepare for the game by having retired knuckleballer Tom Candiotti throw batting practice before the game.

It didn't work.

"He threw quite a few fastballs, he had that big curveball that he was throwing as well, so it's not like it was just one pitch you had to be ready for," said Diamondbacks center fielder Chris Young. "He keeps you off balance, because even though the fastball is 75 mph, it still looks a lot harder. And his curveball was tough for us to lay off of today."

Fortunately for the home team, Wakefield's knuckleball was just a tad more perplexing to the Diamondbacks than Johnson's heat was to the Red Sox.

Though not quite the epic that Wakefield and Johnson staged on Sept. 11, 2005 -- when Johnson's Yankees beat Wakefield's Red Sox 1-0 -- this one was still plenty impressive.

With a combined age of 86 years and 252 days, Wakefield and Johnson took part in the oldest matchup in any Red Sox game since Sept. 25, 1965, when Bill Monbouquette faced off against Satchel Paige. And according to Elias Sports Bureau, it was the oldest combined age of starting pitchers in the history of Fenway Park.

"I'm not facing him as a hitter, so it's kind of cool," said Wakefield. "When he was in Seattle, they made a big deal about me pitching against him. In New York, we lost, 1-0. I'm actually facing their hitters, and they have a pretty good lineup. It's kind of special, but then again, I'm facing their hitters."

While doing that, Wakefield gave up next to nothing. Johnson wasn't much more generous, scattering eight hits and two runs over six innings. Both Boston runs against the Big Unit were scored on outs.

The Red Sox were able to start a little something in the second inning. Mike Lowell led off with a single, and Coco Crisp followed with a double. With one out, Moss brought home the game's first run on a fielder's-choice grounder to second.

Wakefield (5-5, 3.88 ERA) kept it right there, opening with six innings of one-hit baseball.

Finally, the Sox added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth. Again, Lowell (single) and Crisp (double to left) were the catalysts. And after that free pass to Cash, Moss again found a way to come through.

"Any time you can go 0-for-3 and get two RBIs, I'll take it," said Moss. "The main goal of the game is to score runs. I would have definitely liked to be 1-for-3, but the whole idea is to score runs and win the game."

Ultimately, they did that, thanks in large part to a surprising burst of power from their backup catcher.

"I haven't seen it in a while, but I knew he was due," said Wakefield. "And it was a big home run for us."

Inside Pitch: Where might Sabathia go?

Where might C.C. Sabathia wind up should the Indians decide to trade the left-hander?

We asked a few industry types with no stake in Sabathia's fate for their predictions and two teams came up time after time.

The Angels and the Cubs.

The Indians haven't decided whether they will trade Sabathia or try to sign him to an extension before he becomes a free agent, but if they do decide to deal Sabathia, those two clubs could be the front-runners for his services.

"With Sabathia you've got to have a team that can afford to sign him," one official said. "Some of the teams that could, like the Mets, Yankees or Red Sox, I don't think they could come up with a package that [Cleveland GM Mark] Shapiro would take over what the Angels or Cubs could offer. Especially the Angels."

The Angels have a deep farm system and a number of near-ready prospects who might tempt the Indians. The Angels are also in first place in the American League West with the best record in the league.

"They don't have to make a deal," another official said. "I don't know how motivated they would be to make a major trade in their situation."

Sabathia would provide an immediate boost to the Cubs rotation and with right-hander Ryan Dempster, Chicago would have a formidable opponent in any series.

The Cubs are also in first place and have the best record in baseball.

The principals, however, may see things different than their colleagues.

"The situation could look a lot different a few weeks from now," one said. "A losing streak or an injury can change things in a hurry."

Purpose pitches
• Even if the Braves fall out of contention, there are no guarantees that they'll be trading Mark Teixeira. While there's still no sense that they'll be able to re-sign the switch-hitting first baseman, there is some thought that they also won't get much in return for him before this year's trade deadline.

"I just don't know what teams are going to be willing to give up for a guy they'll have for two months without any certainty that they'll be able to sign him," one American League scout said.

Some believe the Braves might get more compensation via draft picks.

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June features: • June 26: If traded, where might Sabathia go?
• June 19: Minaya might be next to go
• June 12: Teams preparing to deal
• June 5: Rays following Braves' blueprint

May features: • May 29: Bruce making early impact
• May 22: Teams lock up young talent
• May 15: Deals bring early returns
• May 8: Rangers' Washington on hot seat
• May 1: Griffey, Dunn could be moved

April features: • April 24: In-season position switches are risky
• April 17: Astros' Oswalt rebounds
• April 10: Tigers try to buck history

• The Rays moved David Price up to Double-A Montgomery, fueling speculation that the prized lefty could be with the team by August. Price was lights-out at Single-A Vero Beach and is expected to do well at the next level.

If Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, does make the jump to the Rays by August, the Rays could have some interesting arms on the block. Perhaps one of a trio of right-handers: Jason Hammel, Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine.

Hammel and Jackson are out of options and would certainly draw offers in a market in which pitching is scarce.

The key is Price. If the Vanderbilt product demonstrates he is ready, the Rays could get a boost for their playoff hopes in more ways than one.

• A scout on Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez before Hernandez sprained his ankle on Monday night: "You can build around that guy. Throwing 97 [mph], throwing strikes. Hard slider, changeup. That's some pretty good stuff."

• The Cubs have scouted San Francisco outfielder Freddy Lewis but their interest in the fleet-footed outfielder isn't believed to be serious at this point.

The 27-year-old Lewis has done a nice job in the leadoff spot for the Giants, and his speed and left-handed bat would fit nicely on the Cubs. But with Alfonso Soriano due to return soon and the re-emergence of Jim Edmonds, the Cubs believe they will be set in the outfield.

• At least one team won't be beating a path to Seattle's door should the Mariners decide to deal left-hander Erik Bedard. A scout who has monitored Bedard said the pitcher is "not well-liked; if they could move them, they probably would."

• The impressive debut of Cincinnati's Daryl Thompson against the Yankees on Saturday (five scoreless innings, four hits allowed) is another piece in the evolution of the Reds pitching staff and why it bodes well for the organization's future.

With Cincinnati's extremely hitter-friendly ballpark, the need for pitchers who produce ground-ball outs or a lot of strikeouts is a logical course to follow. As the Reds have seen all too often, fly balls have a way of leaving the ballpark.

With arms like Thompson, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, the Reds are piecing together a rotation that should be able to win at Great American Ball Park.

Now if they can only get Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo going.

• One year after winning his first Gold Glove, Atlanta's Jeff Francoeur finds himself being criticized for both his offensive and defensive inconsistencies. Francoeur added 15 pounds during the offseason and according to one AL scout, "looks a lot slower."

Francoeur's .248 batting average has provided him plenty of frustration. He has hit remarkably better during day games and recently was fitted for a corrective contact lens to wear during night games. But his troubles seemingly extend beyond his vision issues.

"He just doesn't look right," the scout said. "Mechanically he's doing so many different things. I've never seen him move his hands so much from at-bat to at-bat."

• The midway point of the season is Saturday and the three best records in the NL (through Wednesday) are in the NL Central: Chicago 49-29 (.628), St. Louis 45-34 (.570) and Milwaukee 43-35 (.551).

"I think the Wild Card is going to come from the Central," a veteran NL scout said. "The West is having a hard time getting two teams to .500. It's a four-team race in the East but I think they're going to beat up on each other a lot in the second half. In the Central, the Cubs may be the best team in the league and St. Louis and Milwaukee are already strong and figure to be stronger in the second half when they get some of their [injured] guys back."

• Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez is better as a leadoff hitter than in the No. 3 spot, according to one scout.

"He doesn't seem as aggressive as earlier in the year," the scout said. "He started off hot as a firecracker. Cooled when they moved him to the three hole. Got hot again when they moved him back to leadoff. Lately, he doesn't seem to have that aggressiveness he had earlier."

• The Marlins, after optioning Mike Rabelo to Triple-A on Tuesday, are looking for a veteran catcher. Matt Treanor is manning the position for the NL East contenders.

• Not only will the Yankees and Mets have to come from behind if they are going to make the playoffs, they'll have to buck history to get there.

Both New York teams will move to new parks next season, and only four teams have brought their old houses down in the playoffs: the 1989 Blue Jays, 1996 Braves, 1999 Astros and 2005 Cardinals.

• The Astros stole 62 bases in April and May, but just 15 in June with a Major League-high 11 caught stealings.

"The pitchers have adjusted to what we've been doing, now we have to adjust," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "Texas started that against us last month and now everybody's doing it."

The Astros, who lead the NL with 77 stolen bases, are still running but the success rate has come down as opposing pitchers are holding the ball, utilizing the slide step and changing their pitch rhythms. They're holding Houston stolen-base threats like Michael Bourn in check more often by continually changing things up.

"Michael's still learning," Cooper said. "This is the first time he's played every day, and there's a lot to learn."

Cooper wants Bourn to keep learning pitchers but avoiding falling into predictable patterns.

"It takes a while to learn what you need to learn," Cooper said. "In this game you're always making adjustments."

Hoover called up, in the starting lineup

MIAMI -- It's been a pretty good couple of days for Paul Hoover.

On Monday morning, the 32-year-old catcher found out he was once again being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to rejoin the Marlins. Then, as he walked into the clubhouse on Tuesday, he noticed he was getting the start against the team that drafted him.

When catcher Mike Rabelo was sent down two days after the Marlins' series finale against the Mariners, Florida called up Hoover and immediately inserted him into the starting lineup as it began a three-game home series against the Rays.

"I'm happy," Hoover said. "It's always nice to see your name in the lineup.

"I just try to stay ready, do the best I can and prepare myself before every game as if I were going to start."

Hoover, who is 3-for-7 in two games with the Fish this season, has already been called up and sent back down to the Minors twice since the start of the season. The first time it was to allow Rabelo to recover from a sprained left knee at the beginning of the year. On the second occasion, he was the No. 3 catcher on the Marlins' depth chart.

But now that he comes to the club as the immediate backup catcher, the question at this point is: Can he be a permanent fixture behind Matt Treanor?

"Anybody who can come in and play well is going to get their chance to stay," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's a good catcher. He's solid behind the plate, knows how to work well with pitchers, and he can be a real asset to this team."

Hoover was selected by the Rays in the 23rd round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft. After bouncing around with the Rays, Marlins, Expos and Rays again, the Columbus, Ohio, native found himself back with the Fish in 2006. In his previous two years with the Marlins, Hoover appeared in seven games, hitting .385 (5-for-13).

Gonzalez said Hoover provides versatility to a team that's chock-full of it. The Marlins' skipper said he can play almost any position in the infield, and even the outfield on occasion.

But Hoover has another trait that's even more unique.

Because both of his parents are deaf, Hoover -- who is not hearing impaired -- is great at sign language and reading lips. So when a pitching coach goes out to the mound to speak to his hurler, Hoover can sometimes pick up what's being said.

"I'm pretty observant when the pitching coach goes out to the mound," Hoover said. "Sometimes, I can make out what they're saying, and I'll know how they're going to pitch for me."

Hanley up in tight All-Star race at short

One of the closest campaigns in All-Star history has a new leader. Again.

Florida's Hanley Ramirez is back on top again in the voting to be the National League's starting shortstop after regaining the lead from Houston's Miguel Tejada, according to the latest update released Tuesday by Major League Baseball.

Ramirez, who held the lead until the first week of June, when Tejada moved ahead, has been closing the gap recently. Ramirez outpolled Tejada 296,831 to 158,055 last week to take over first place by 70,664 votes. If Ramirez can hold on, he would become the second Marlin to win the fan balloting. Gary Sheffield was elected by the fans to start at third base in 1993, though Sheffield began that season with San Diego.

With only eight days left to vote, there's still plenty of time for the race to change again. Ryan Theriot of the Cubs is in third place, less than 140,000 votes behind Tejada, followed by Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies and Jose Reyes of the Mets.

The leaders at the other positions remained unchanged with Houston's Lance Berkman leading at first base, Philadelphia's Chase Utley on top at second base and Atlanta's Chipper Jones ahead of the field at third base. The Cubs have three players in line to start -- outfielders Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome and catcher Geovany Soto.

Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. leads Milwaukee's Ryan Braun by 175,176 ballots in the battle for the third outfield spot.

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, being held at Yankee Stadium in its final season, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD, and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.

The Midsummer Classic will be the fourth held at Yankee Stadium and the eighth in New York City. The Yankees previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1939, 1960 and 1977; the Polo Grounds held the game in 1934 and 1942; Ebbets Field was the site in 1949; and Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 tilt.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Wednesday, July 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Starting rosters will be announced during the 2008 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on Sunday, July 6. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote at MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the All-Star Game via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP vote at MLB.com.

Utley has already surpassed his vote total from last year (2,112,142) and now has 2,179,006 votes, more than any player in either league. Utley's lead of more than 1.23 million votes over Chicago's Mark DeRosa is the largest margin held by any candidate in either league.

Berkman added to his lead over Derrek Lee and is ahead of the Cubs first baseman by 528,843 votes. Albert Pujols of St. Louis, Milwaukee's Prince Fielder and Philadelphia's Ryan Howard are the others in the top five at the position.

Jones increased his margin over Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs to more than 800,000. David Wright of the Mets and Bill Hall of the Brewers are in third and fourth place, respectively.

At catcher, Soto is 579,972 votes in front of Brian McCann of Atlanta. Jason Kendall of Milwaukee moved past Yadier Molina of St. Louis for third place by just 5,000 votes.

table.ballotResults {width:581px; border:1px solid #132448; background-color:#fff;} table.ballotResults th.tableHdr {text-align:left; padding:3px; background-color:#132448; color:#fff; font-weight:bold;} table.ballotResults th {text-align:left; padding:3px; background-color:#333; color:#fff; font-weight:bold;} table.ballotResults tr.colHdr td {background-color:#666; color:#fff;} table.ballotResults td {padding:0px 3px;} table.ballotResults tr.odd td {background-color:#dedede;} table.ballotResults tr.even td {background-color:#fff;} 2008 MLB All-Star Balloting : National LeagueFirst BaseRANKPLAYER NAMENL TEAMTOTAL VOTES1.Berkman, L.Astros1,682,3622.Lee, D.Cubs1,153,5193.Pujols, A.Cardinals1,116,6264.Fielder, P.Brewers816,5075.Howard, R.Phillies654,962Second BaseRANKPLAYER NAMENL TEAMTOTAL VOTES1.Utley, C.Philles2,179,0062.DeRosa, M.Cubs940,4043.Matsui, K.Astros742,4254.Uggla, D.Marlins675,3585.Weeks, R.Brewers589,455Third baseRANKPLAYER NAMENL TEAMTOTAL VOTES1.Jones, C.Braves1,916,8292.Ramirez, A.Cubs1,111,9013.Wright, D.Mets958,4904.Hall, B.Brewers559,5815.Reynolds, M.D-backs483,688ShortstopRANKPLAYER NAMENL TEAMTOTAL VOTES1.Ramirez, H.Marlins1,123,5162.Tejada, M.Astros1,052,8523.Theriot, R.Cubs915,9544.Rollins, J.Phillies777,5705.Reyes, J.Mets734,636CatcherRANKPLAYER NAMENL TEAMTOTAL VOTES1.Soto, G.Cubs1,497,5792.McCann, B.Braves917,6073.Kendall, J.Brewers773,6944.Molina, Y.Cardinals768,6855.Molina, B.Giants578,357OutfieldRANKPLAYER NAMENL TEAMTOTAL VOTES1.Soriano, A.Cubs1,736,4342.Fukudome, K.Cubs1,454,2573.Griffey, K.Reds1,417,0194.Braun, R.Brewers1,241,8435.Lee, C.Astros824,7766.Burrell, P.Phillies811,3567.Holliday, M.Rockies810,3978.Beltran, C.Mets776,1079.Ankiel, R.Cardinals774,58510.Upton, J.D-backs689,66611.Ludwick, R.Cardinals689,07412Pence, H.Astros686,79013.Hart, C.Brewers682,49314.Cameron, M.Brewers609,76115.McLouth, N.Pirates601,261Results updated: Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ramirez powers Cubs past White Sox

Beckham leads All-Star fan voting

Utley surges up NL All-Star ranks

Soriano hopes to play in All-Star Game

Hanley grabs last-gasp Durango drive

Bench comes through for Brewers

MILWAUKEE -- On Sunday, the Brewers were nearly back at full capacity for the first time since the first week of June, when Rickie Weeks was sidelined with a sprained left knee. While Weeks was doing his 15-day stint on the disabled list, Milwaukee also lost shortstop J.J. Hardy (strained left shoulder) and outfielder Mike Cameron (hyperextended big toe on his left foot). Weeks and Hardy were both in the lineup on Sunday, and Cameron isn't expected to be out much longer. Also over that span, the Brewers got reliever David Riske back from the DL, lefty Randy Choate started a rehab assignment and former closer Eric Gagne has progressed toward a rehab assignment of his own that will begin as early as this week. Milwaukee has been able to sustain its recent success without its starters. Entering Sunday, the Brewers are 20-10 since May 20, and they've gone 8-4 since June 8, including a 5-3 homestand.

Manager Ned Yost praised his reserves before Sunday's game. "That's why you have a good bench," Yost said. "So you can [make it through] all those little injuries you're going to have over the course of the year, have the guy who can step in and not miss a beat." Yost considers this season's bench to be the best -- the deepest and most experienced -- he's had as the Brewers' manager. "Oh yeah, no doubt," he said. "[Craig] Counsell, [Gabe] Kapler, [Bill] Hall, [Joe] Dillon. They've been real good." Yost singled out Counsell as a player who has played very well during his stint starting at shortstop and second base while Hardy and Weeks were out of the lineup. "He always does [play well]," Yost said. "I like him anywhere [in the field]. He's swinging the bat really well, too." Not only has Counsell provided a steady glove at two critical spots, he filled in for Weeks as the leadoff man for the Brewers. During the current homestand, he has hit .250 with a .357 on-base percentage, scored in five of eight games, had a hit in all but one and walked six times to set the table for Milwaukee's offense.

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Peek at the Week: Stately rivalries

Let's get ready to rumble!

Judging by the matchups on the schedule for the last week of Interleague games, it could be that kind of week.

The next seven days feature regional turf wars like Yankees-Mets, Cubs-White Sox, Angels-Dodgers, Giants-Athletics and Rays-Marlins. There's also Reds-Indians, Orioles-Nationals and Rangers-Astros.

In addition to the rivalry-week battles, several other Interleague series are matchups of contenders, including Diamondbacks vs. Red Sox, Phillies vs. Athletics, Cardinals vs. Tigers and Diamondbacks vs. Marlins.

The last week of Interleague Play also offers several firsts, like the Red Sox making their first appearance at Houston's Minute Maid Park and the Yankees playing their first series at PNC Park, as well as making their first visit to Pittsburgh since the 1960 World Series and Bill Mazeroski's famous Game 7 home run.

The Rockies will be playing their first series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The Twins play at San Diego's PETCO Park for the first time, the Giants make their initial appearance at Cleveland's Jacobs Field and the Phillies will make their Rangers Ballpark debut.

Here's the lineup:

Diamondbacks at Red Sox, Monday-Wednesday: The National League West-leading Diamondbacks make their first visit to Fenway Park since 2002 to take on the defending World Series champions and American League East-leading Boston. The last time the Snakes came to the Boston, they swept the Red Sox three straight. The Red Sox took two of three from Arizona at Chase Field last year.

Arizona will send right-hander Dan Haren (7-4, 3.26) against Red Sox ace Josh Beckett (7-4, 3.87) on Monday. Diamondbacks lefty Doug Davis (2-3, 3.65) opposes Boston right-hander Justin Masterson (4-1, 3.00) on Tuesday, with Randy Johnson (4-5, 5.09) and Tim Wakefield (4-5, 4.17) hooking up in Wednesday's series finale.

Phillies at Athletics, Tuesday-Thursday: First the Red Sox, then the Angels, now the NL East leaders face another pair of strong AL teams in Oakland and Texas.

The A's are second in the AL West. The Rangers, third place in the AL West and back over .500 with a win at Washington on Sunday, lead the Major Leagues in scoring. The Phillies are third, trailing only the Rangers and Cubs.

The Phillies will try to stop a five-game losing streak on Tuesday, when veteran lefty Jamie Moyer (7-4, 4.09) starts against Oakland right-hander Joe Blanton (3-10, 4.81). Kyle Kendrick (6-3, 5.06) and Greg Smith (4-5, 3.51) head to the hill on Wednesday, with Adam Eaton (2-5, 4.94) and Rich Harden (4-0, 2.44) scheduled to start on Thursday.

Rays at Marlins, Tuesday-Thursday: The Rays took two of three from the Fish at The Trop on June 13-15, then swept the Cubs before dropping two out of three to the Astros. The Rays, 7-5 in Interleague Play this season, are 23-35 all-time in the Citrus Series with Florida, including 9-20 at Dolphin Stadium. The Rays are seeking to win their fourth Citrus Series in the past seven years.

Tampa Bay's Andy Sonnanstine (8-3, 4.92) and Marlins lefty Scott Olsen (4-4, 3.51) will pitch the opener. Right-handers James Shields (4-5, 3.94) and Ryan Tucker (2-1, 4.50) will start game two, with Tampa Bay's Matt Garza (5-4, 4.10) and Florida's Mark Hendrickson (7-5, 5.73) scheduled to start game three.

Cardinals at Tigers, Tuesday-Thursday: A rematch of the 2006 World Series, a reunion of old pals Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland and a series matching two teams that have overcome numerous injuries to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot.

The Tigers have won 12 of their past 15 to climb to third place in the AL Central. The Cardinals, despite Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright being on a disabled list that numbers in double digits, have kept pace with first-place Chicago in the NL Central and are currently atop the NL Wild Card standings.

The pitching matchups: Braden Looper (8-5, 4.10) vs. Kenny Rogers (5-4, 4.36) on Tuesday; Kyle Lohse (9-2, 3.63) vs. Armando Galarraga (7-2, 3.03) on Wednesday and either Mitchell Boggs (2-0, 5.40) or Todd Wellemeyer (7-2, 3.67) against Detroit's Nate Robertson (6-6, 5.60) on Thursday.

Yankees at Mets, Friday-Sunday: This series will be four games instead of three, as the two teams will make up the rainout of their May 16 game at Yankee Stadium on Friday as part of a day-night, two-stadium doubleheader. The day game at Yankee Stadium will start at 2:05 p.m. ET, with the regularly scheduled night game at Shea Stadium moved back to 8:10 p.m.

The two teams have met in day-night doubleheaders previously, the last time being June 28, 2003. The first time was July 8, 2000, when the two teams played a regularly scheduled day game at Shea and a night game at Yankee Stadium to make up a rainout. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first day-night doubleheader held at different venues since Sept. 7, 1903 (New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Superbas at Brooklyn's Washington Park and the Polo Grounds).

Both teams began the week in third place. This will be the final time they will meet at Shea Stadium. The Mets won both games played at Yankee Stadium last month.

Diamondbacks at Marlins, Friday-Sunday: Arizona continues its road trip to the East Coast with this three-game set at Dolphins Stadium. The Diamondbacks have cooled off after their sensational start, but are still atop the NL West, while the Marlins have been close on Philadelphia's heels in the tight NL East. If the rotation orders are unchanged, Friday's series opener will pit Arizona ace Brandon Webb against Florida's Andrew Miller.

Cubs at White Sox, Friday-Sunday: The crosstown series moves to the South Side. The two first-place teams put on quite a show over the weekend at Wrigley Field, now they'll try it again at the Cell. The Cubs had won six straight and nine of the last 10 meetings in this series. This season was the first time these two teams met when both were in first place.

Pitching matchups are uncertain with off days and the Cubs putting ace Carlos Zambrano on the DL. At this point it looks like it might be Sean Gallagher vs. Jose Contreras on Friday, Ryan Dempster vs. Javier Vazquez on Saturday and Sean Marshall vs. Mark Buehrle on Sunday.

Angels at Dodgers, Friday-Sunday: The Freeway Series resumes at Dodger Stadium. The Angels won two of three from the Dodgers last month. The Dodgers are 1-7 in Interleague Play this year and have dropped 12 of their last 19 homes games.

Giants at Athletics, Friday-Sunday: The A's swept the Giants at AT&T Park in the first leg of the Bay Bridge Series. The Giants have lost nine of their last 12, but are 15-15 in their last 30 games (entering play Monday).

Brewers at Twins, Friday-Sunday: If this one wasn't on your radar already, give it a look. These two teams have quietly played very well in recent weeks. The Twins have won six in a row and are 9-3 in Interleague Play. Minnesota took two out of three from Milwaukee when the teams met at the Metrodome on June 13-15. Since May 20, the Brewers are 21-10, the best record in baseball during that span.

Factoid of the week: The Cubs have the best record in baseball in part because of their 31-8 record at Wrigley Field. Part of that home-field success has to be attributed to some of the regulars in the lineup. Entering Sunday night's game, Kosuke Fukudome was batting .381 at Wrigley, the second-highest home batting average in the Major Leagues this year behind Atlanta's Chipper Jones (.456). Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa's .364 home batting average ranks fifth, and shortstop Ryan Theriot's .343 is ninth. Makes you wonder what these guys will do in the second half, when the winds at Wrigley more often favor hitters than they do in April and May -- when it is cooler and the winds are blowing in.

Milestone of the week: San Diego's Greg Maddux needs five innings to tie and six innings to pass Roger Clemens for 15th place on the all-time list. Maddux has pitched 4,911 innings.

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Kareem Discusses His Younger Days

Soriano, seventh lead Cubs over Snakes

Orioles add Bukvich to relief corps

MILWAUKEE -- The Orioles expanded their pitching staff on Sunday, adding an extra bullpen arm at the expense of a position player. Baltimore purchased Ryan Bukvich's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and designated infielder Freddie Bynum for assignment, all but assuring that the Orioles will have their third starting shortstop of the season.

"I thought it was best for us to go with 13 pitchers," said manager Dave Trembley. "The red flag for me the other day was [Radhames] Liz just giving us two innings. We're not even halfway through the season yet, and guys in the bullpen have had a lot of appearances. We need another arm down there, so that's the direction that we're going at this point in time."

Bukvich, who has pitched in the big leagues in each of the last five seasons, is likely to contribute as a long reliever. The right-hander was starting at Norfolk, where he had compiled a 5-2 record and a 3.45 ERA. Bukvich said that most of his professional experience has come out of the bullpen and that he won't have to make much of an adjustment.

"It's a great opportunity," said Bukvich, who is 3-0 with a 6.12 career ERA in the Majors. "It's a little different situation for me, having started and coming in as a long guy. I've been in and out for five years and been a one- or two-inning guy. Now I've had a chance to stretch it out and really learn some stuff. I really feel good about it. I'm just excited to give it a shot."

Baltimore's bullpen has been one of its strengths, but it could sorely use a shot in the arm. Orioles' relievers have thrown 16 1/3 scoreless innings, and the 'pen is 3-0 with a 0.48 ERA over its last five games. But several of the individual arms -- including closer George Sherrill and youngsters Jim Johnson and Matt Albers -- are in danger of being overtaxed.

Bukvich is well aware of that trend and wants to do anything he can to help stem the tide.

"Everybody's just throwing great," he said. "Everybody's doing what they need to do. I want to come in and contribute however I can, help some of the guys get their day off [so] they're sharp and ready to go."

"He can do all of it. He can pitch long, pitch short," added Trembley. "I think he allows us some options. He's not just a one-inning guy. We don't need a one-inning guy down there. I need someone who can pitch more than one inning."

Trembley, who has spoken often about the need for extra position players during the Interleague portion of the schedule, wouldn't comment on how long he plans to stick with this arrangement. He allowed that he has two injured relievers working back to full strength in Adam Loewen and Randor Bierd, and admits that his bullpen could be crowded for a while.

"I know it will be through this road trip, and then after that, we can evaluate it," he said. "But we have Loewen in the wings waiting to come, and Bierd's getting close. We'll see where it takes us. I think in this game, if you start making statements that it's going to be for a specific amount of time, you kind of get locked in. And I don't want to do that."

Zito returns to Giants’ rotation

Pineiro takes second trip of ‘08 to DL

Fire eager to return to pitch

Hunter maneuvers from mat to mound

FRISCO, Texas -- You wouldn't guess it to see Tommy Hunter now. Standing a stout 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds in his Frisco RoughRiders uniform, Hunter, in his youth, was a two-time junior Olympic judo champion.

Hunter's judo career began as a birthday present from his grandmother when he was 5. It turned into a gift that has kept on giving, even after Hunter won back-to-back Junior Olympic judo championships when he was 11 and 12 years old.

Although the armbar maneuvers he learned in judo no longer come into play now that he's a Minor League pitcher, judo helped him build the mental toughness he needs when he toes the rubber.

"It really taught me to keep my cool," Hunter said. "You really have to be in control, kind of like when you're out on the mound. It's you versus one guy -- one-on-one. And I'm pretty flexible for being as big as I am. I'm probably the most flexible person on this team, hands down."

With his judo mentality, Hunter is able to pitch with an attitude that matches his intimidating frame. With his flexibility, he's more athletic than most pitchers his size. However, it took more than a background in judo to get where Hunter is now. He was also a great amateur pitcher.

Hunter was drafted out of high school in the 18th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft by Tampa Bay, but decided instead to play college ball at Alabama. There, he was named freshman second-team All-American in 2006, and multiple publications tabbed him a preseason All-American his sophomore year.

As a Draft-eligible sophomore, Hunter led the Crimson Tide with seven victories, 107 innings pitched and 96 strikeouts, to go along with his 3.87 ERA. But in between his freshman and sophomore campaigns, Hunter represented his country on the 2006 USA National Baseball Team.

Playing alongside players such as David Price, Casey Weathers, Pedro Alvarez, Jemile Weeks and fellow Rangers farmhand Julio Borbon, Hunter won yet another gold medal in international competition.

"I got to hang out with, pretty much, the best players in the country," Hunter said. "We just had fun together. We set something like 20-some-odd records, so we were pretty much the best team to have ever played."

After a summer of playing teams from around the globe, Hunter returned to Alabama for his sophomore season.

When the 2007 First-Year Player Draft rolled around, he was selected once again, this time 54th overall by the Texas Rangers. And this time, he signed.

Despite his experience competing against the best in the world in two sports, Hunter has found professional baseball to be a completely different challenge. Only one word comes to Hunter's mind when trying to describe Minor League baseball.

"Whirlwind," Hunter said. "There's a little more pressure here than there is in college baseball, and that was not expected by me. In college, it's all about the team and what the team does, but here it's all about you and what you do."

The pressure hasn't gotten to Hunter yet, though. In 10 games with short-season Class A Spokane in 2007, Hunter went 2-3 with a save, a 2.55 ERA and 13 strikeouts to just one walk.

Now at Double-A Frisco, Hunter is coming off a 112-pitch, eight-inning effort Saturday night against Corpus Christi that earned him his third victory of the season. Hunter allowed just two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks, striking out four, as his ERA dropped from 4.93 to 4.27.

"His mentality is one of his strengths," Frisco manager Scott Little said. "He's a workhorse, he's a battler and he's only a year out of the Draft. The next step for him is to better command his pitches."

For the season in Double-A, Hunter is 3-2 in seven starts, with 20 strikeouts to 16 walks.

"For me, I'm not good enough where I'm at. I'm not to where I want to be," Hunter said.

In his first full professional season, Hunter has plenty of time to get to where he wants to be. And when he gets to where he ultimately wants to be -- the Major Leagues -- he knows it will mean even more to him than his gold medals at home.

"Without a doubt," Hunter said. "I'm not going to take anything away from my gold medals and stuff, but this is the ultimate goal. This is where I want to be, this is what I want to do in order to get to the big leagues some day."

2008 NHL Draft Trades

Rivalries spice up Interleague Play

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Hamilton Scores 32 to Help Pistons Take 3-1 Lead Over Magic

Reds feeling shorthanded these days

NEW YORK -- Being a Reds shortstop these days has become about as safe as being the drummer for "Spinal Tap."

As expected, following a grisly dislocation of his left index finger on Friday night, Jolbert Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday to make room on the roster for callup Daryl Thompson.

Cabrera joined Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Keppinger and Jerry Hairston Jr. -- all were playing shortstop when they went on the DL.

Rookie Paul Janish was the starting shortstop on Saturday afternoon against the Yankees. As he got dressed before the game, he accidentally banged his right elbow on the corner of his locker.

"I just smoked my funny bone," Janish said with a wince.

Somebody get this man some bubble wrap and a security detail because the Reds have no other shortstops left. Andy Phillips, who has never played shortstop in the Major Leagues, is the emergency backup to Janish.

"It's been pretty insane with the occurrences of late," Janish said. "It's one of those things. I don't think there's any way to explain. You'd have better odds winning the lottery."

During a 4-2 Reds win over the Yankees on Friday, Cabrera had four hits. After hit No. 4 in the seventh inning, a single, he was advancing to second on a wild pitch and caught his finger on the base as he slid headfirst.

The dislocation of the joint pierced the skin and required stitches at the ballpark. Cabrera was taken to a hospital to have the finger put back into place while under anesthesia. He is expected to miss several weeks.

Cabrera was batting .389 (7-for-18) in seven games since his call up following Hairston's injury. It was Cabrera's first big league action since 2004.

Hairston, who suffered a fractured left thumb while stealing second base on June 9 in Florida, hoped to accelerate the start of a Minor League rehabilitation assignment, while Keppinger, who has been out with a fractured left kneecap since May 13, is already on a rehab assignment, but he isn't expected back until after the road trip ends on June 29.

Gonzalez, who has been out with a compression fracture in his left knee since the early days of Spring Training, is still not considered close to returning.

Reds manager Dusty Baker said there was a good chance the Keppinger and Hairston return timetables could be moved up.

"We have to check and see how they're doing and how they're really doing," Baker said. "There's how the player says he's feeling and doing, and those down there who have been watching say how he's doing."

Second baseman Brandon Phillips originally came up as a shortstop, but Baker has been hesitant to move him to the other side of the infield.

"I talked to Brandon," Baker said. "He said the way that position is going, he's a little scared of going over there right now."

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Molina in the Omaha swing of things

OMAHA -- "They say true talent will always emerge in time," is a line in the Clash song "Hitsville U.K.", released in 1980, six years before Stanford first baseman Randy Molina was born. Still, it's a bit ironic that a line from Molina's favorite band could fit the player so well.

In 2005, Molina was a blue-chip freshman for the Stanford Cardinal, ranked No. 65 among Baseball America's 2004 Top 100 High School Prospects. Molina had been a discovery from Major League Baseball's RBI program, and with good grades, became a highly anticipated Stanford recruit. From there, however, opportunities were few and far between for the South Gate, Calif., native. In his first season as a Cardinal, he played in just six games, all as a pinch-hitter. In the next two seasons, Molina would only start 40 games, slugging just .333 in that tenure.

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"After not playing much last year with the lineup changes, I went up to summer ball with the mission that I was going to come back and get a starting spot," he said. "I went up to summer ball trying to hit for more power."

For Molina, the best inspiration for increasing his power supply came from imitation. He had watched his teammates closely, so when he joined up with the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League for the third straight season, he used his fellow Cardinal players as examples while lengthening his swing.

" I tried to extend my arms more," Molina said. "And honestly, watching the other guys hit, Jason [Castro] and Sean [Ratliff] and [Brent] Milleville who, have more loft in their swing, I try to imitate them a little bit, and it's worked out."

Through imitation, Molina's true talent finally did come out. Molina hit .342 with the Mallards over the summer, including four home runs. In 2008, in his final season at Stanford, he hit just five long balls, though combined with 16 doubles, it was enough for a career-high .478 slugging percentage.

When he got back to campus at the end of the summer, Molina noticed a marked change not only in his game, but in the game of all his Cardinal teammates. Catcher Jason Castro, who had hit .167 in an injury-riddled 2007 season, would hit .380. Second baseman Cord Phelps, who entered 2008 without a home run after back problems in 2007, would hit 13.

"Since that first practice in the fall, you could tell it was a different team, especially after last season, not making the postseason," Molina said. "Everyone played better together, I think the talent level was up, and it was our mission."

The increased effort and talent paid off, as the Cardinal would go 41-24, taking Stanford back to Omaha for the first time since 2003.

But if working so hard on his game has cost Molina anything, it's an opportunity to continue an interest in his second love: music. The 22-year-old was a drummer in a high school band that covered songs from the early punk era, from The Ramones to, yes, The Clash.

"I started taking lessons in eighth grade, and I took lessons for a year and a half," he said. "Music has always been a passion, and I still go to a lot of concerts."

Once he got to college, however, drumming was swept under the rug. For now, Molina only fulfills his musical interest from the video game Rock Band -- "I love that game, it's my favorite" -- and during breaks from school.

"Whenever I go home, I always go to a friend's house and play some drums," he said.

However, despite a four-year break, Molina is not ready to give up on his passion.

"It's something I'd love to do, get a drum set and get back into it," he said. "After baseball, there will always be an opportunity to do other stuff when I'm not constantly at the field."

Don't take Molina's words wrong, though -- the first baseman could not be happier to be given a chance to continue his baseball career. The Seattle Mariners took Molina in the 42nd round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Stanford has called its seven players taken in the Draft the "Magnificent Seven", which is, keeping with coincidence, the first song from "Sandinista!" the 1980 Clash album.

"Not playing so much last year, getting the attention some year ... it feels great," Molina said. "I was telling scouts it didn't matter where I went, I just wanted the opportunity to play."

Molina's final season with Stanford ended on Saturday, as the Cardinal were eliminated from the College World Series by the Georgia Bulldogs. So, as Molina moves onto the next step in his baseball career -- one, he hopes, that will delay a career behind the drum set -- it might just be best to channel the Clash song, "Justice Tonight":

Stay around, don't play around
This old town and all
Seems like I got to travel on ...

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Ramirez powers Cubs past White Sox

CHICAGO -- Home was never so sweet for the Cubs.

Aramis Ramirez hit a game-tying solo homer in the seventh and belted a walk-off shot leading off the ninth to power the Cubs to a 4-3 Interleague victory over their crosstown rivals, the White Sox, and snap a three-game losing streak.

"We needed to win this game," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

With the game tied at 3 in the ninth against Scott Linebrink (2-2), Ramirez launched a 1-0 pitch to straightaway center field for the game winner.

"That's part of my job," Ramirez said. "I'm a cleanup hitter, I'm a RBI man, and people expect me to do that. I just concentrate a little more with men in scoring position or a tie ballgame."

Piniella didn't exactly call a home run. But he was hoping for one.

"One thing I told [bench coach Alan Trammell] was if [Ramirez] got on base, we weren't going to bunt," Piniella said of the ninth-inning strategy. "We were looking for some extension, and that's exactly what we got."

Kerry Wood (4-1) picked up the win, which improved the Cubs' record to 30-8 at Wrigley Field.

"We have confidence," Piniella said about the home-field advantage. "We've been able to come from behind, and today was no exception. Our big boys got the job done today which was good to see."

The Cubs had sent starter Ted Lilly back to Chicago on Thursday, while the rest of the team didn't get home until early Friday morning after a three-game series against Tampa Bay. Wrigley's real grass felt good after six straight games on artificial turf, and the 31-minute rain delay before first pitch gave the players a little more nap time.

Friday's win was just what the Cubs needed.

"We'd lost three in a row, we got back home late, but our guys dug in and hung in there. And we got good pitching, and that was a key," Piniella said. "We didn't allow the White Sox to tack on runs, and that was a key."

This was a showdown between the leaders of their respective Central Divisions. This is the first time the two teams have been in first place for the intracity series.

"To be honest, I don't think we're thinking about where they are, or what they're doing," Lilly said. "We've got our mission, and that's whoever is out there on the field, we need to beat them just to make sure we win our division.

"They obviously have a good club, and it's not surprising that they're in first," Lilly said of the White Sox. "They have very good pitching, and a strong lineup. I would think they're going to play well and we'll see what happens.

"There's no point talking about October right now," he said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if they're going to be around for awhile."

Lilly may not want to bring up a possible postseason matchup, but it is probably on the minds of the 41,106 who crammed into Wrigley for Game 1 of this six-game, home-and-road series.

The Cubs struck first, as leadoff man Kosuke Fukudome chopped an infield single that didn't get past the pitcher's mound, advanced on Ryan Theriot's single, and scored when Derrek Lee grounded into a double play.

Jermaine Dye tied the game with a leadoff homer in the second, and with one on and one out in the third, A.J. Pierzynski gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead with his fifth homer. Lilly served up both. He struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and three walks.

The Cubs woke up in the seventh. Lee launched reliever Octavio Dotel's first pitch into the right-field bleachers leading off, and Ramirez followed with his 11th homer five pitches later to tie the game at 3. It's the second time this year Lee and Ramirez have hit back-to-back blasts; they also did so April 11 in Philadelphia. Dotel had given up two home runs total over 33 1/3 innings before Friday.

"Once we tied it up," Lilly said, "it was hard for me not to believe we were going to get it done at some point in the game."

Which is just what Ramirez did, reminding fans of his walk-off against the Brewers last June 29 at Wrigley, a two-out, two-run shot off Francisco Cordero.

"Any time you hit a walk-off is special," Ramirez said.

Yes, it is.

"We've been playing a lot of exciting finishes lately," Piniella said.

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Scioscia a rock for the Angels

PHILADELPHIA -- When Mike Scioscia was growing up in the area, the Flyers ruled Philly, and the Angels' manager was a rabid fan of Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent and their ferocious, brazen band of "Broad Street Bullies."

Maybe that accounts for Scioscia's enduring tenacity, a quality that has served him well in a profession that offers a lot of challenges and perks, but not much in the way of job security.

The Mariners' dismissal of John McLaren on Thursday underscored Scioscia's remarkable durability as the dean of American League managers, with only the Braves' Bobby Cox and the Cardinals' Tony La Russa longer tenured in their current positions.

"I don't even think about it," said Scioscia.

The Interleague set vs. the Phillies marks the first time Scioscia, the pride of Upper Darby and Springfield High School (class of 1976) has returned to his home turf as a manager.

Since Scioscia was named skipper of the Angels in 2000, he has matched wits with 12 managers of American League West foes.

The Mariners have had five managers (Lou Piniella, Bob Melvin, Mike Hargrove, McLaren and Jim Riggleman), the Rangers four (the late Johnny Oates, Jerry Narron, Buck Showalter and Ron Washington) and the Athletics three (Art Howe, Ken Macha and Bob Geren) over the past nine seasons.

The stability Scioscia has brought to Anaheim in his seven seasons is even more telling. In the nine seasons preceding his arrival, the Angels had seven managers, including interims.

"I enjoy what I'm doing," Scioscia said. "There's a lot of work to do every day. There are a lot of great baseball managers out there. I'm grateful we've had the opportunity to build something here."

There must be something in Scioscia's personality that creates the stability, for it was there in his playing days, as well. Scioscia broke in with the Dodgers in 1980, just four years off the Springfield High campus, and was their catcher for the next 13 seasons, guiding two World Series champions (1981 and '88) and some of the game's premier pitchers, notably Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershier.

Scioscia has managed more games in the Major Leagues, postseason included (1,411), than he played (1,182). He delivered the first World Series championship in Angels franchise history (2002) as a Wild Card, two years before he claimed his first of three AL West titles.

A survivor in a professional mine field, Scioscia liberally spreads the credit around, careful to give none to himself.

"We've had good teams," Scioscia said. "If you're in this profession, the only job security is performance. It's a reflection on the whole organization, player development, [general managers] Bill Stoneman and Tony Reagins ... and [owner] Arte Moreno, who gives us the tools to play well."

Asked if he had any idea how many division managers he's faced in his nine years, Scioscia shook his head. Told the number was 12, he shrugged and said, "I don't think about that stuff."

For Scioscia, it was time to get to work on preparing for the Phillies and the opener of a three-game Interleague series.

The self-described "chubby guy from Philly" would manage just fine, thank you.

Buehrle thriving after slow start to '08

CHICAGO -- What is wrong with Mark Buehrle?

It was a question asked so frequently during the first two months of the 2008 season that it seemingly began to slightly annoy the affable and accommodating left-handed hurler for the White Sox. In reality, there wasn't anything wrong with Buehrle or the way he was pitching from start to start.

Buehrle relies on location and movement for success, much more so than velocity, although his velocity has been up this year. When his ERA sat at 5.26 through May, Buehrle's location clearly was a shade off target.

By his own admission, Buehrle also lost focus a time or two after a couple of consecutive bloop hits fell in or a tough play in the field wasn't made. That issue led to big innings plaguing the left-hander, with 25 of his 46 earned runs allowed coming in four combined starts.

Those problems appear to be behind Buehrle, who has gone through this sort of funk previously in his career. The statistics support this hypothesis, with Buehrle carrying a 2-0 record and 1.50 ERA over his last three starts, working eight innings each time.

Comments from opposing hitters whom Buehrle has shut down also show he seems to be on his game.

"We were just looking to get a hit at one point," said Pittsburgh outfielder Jason Bay of Buehrle, who no-hit the Pirates through five innings on Wednesday. "He just pounds the strike zone, and you know he's going to put the ball around the plate and it's going to be quick, one way or another."

"He was pretty efficient," Pittsburgh manager John Russell added. "He kept us off-balance, especially our right-handed hitters. He hit his spots and changed speeds. If you do that, you're going to be pretty successful."

Even Detroit's Magglio Ordonez, a former teammate and friend of Buehrle, was impressed by Buehrle's work. Ordonez entered last Thursday's contest with 15 hits in 25 at-bats against the southpaw, but was held hitless in three at-bats.

"Cutter, up, down, here, here. And he's quick," Ordonez said. "He works fast. He went inside, then away, away, away."

That up-tempo approach stands out as another key for Buehrle, who helped finish off Wednesday's win in a shade over two hours. It was Buehrle's 10th quality start of the season, leading the veteran hurler to wonder about all the early fuss, but be happy with the lack of present worry concerning his work every fifth day.

"I'm giving the team a chance to win and going deep into games, and giving the bullpen a break," said Buehrle, presenting his matter-of-fact analysis. "I'm just throwing strikes and keeping my pitch count down."

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Brian Buscher came into Spring Training with the hopes of showing the Twins that he deserved a shot at the third-base job.

He was tabbed by manager Ron Gardenhire as the team's "most improved player" in the spring, and while Mike Lamb had been signed to be the club's everyday third baseman, Buscher made a strong push for the 25th spot on the roster.

But with the Twins looking for a utility man for that slot, Matt Tolbert earned the final roster spot and Buscher was sent down to Triple-A Rochester.

"I maybe had a little chip on my shoulder," said Buscher, who hit .319 with eight homers and 30 RBIs in 53 games for the Red Wings. "But I just went out there to play every day and do the best I [could], hoping and thinking to myself that maybe they made a wrong move. I just did the best I could, really, and it's all kind of worked out."

With the third-base position in flux for the Twins, Buscher is getting another opportunity to prove that he can be the third baseman that the team has had difficulty finding in recent years. In his first three games since rejoining the team, he was hitting 5-for-13 (.385).

Since Corey Koskie departed as a free agent following the 2004 season, the Twins have been unable to find a solid solution at third base. Including this season, a total of 15 different players have seen time at third since the start of the '05 season.

Lamb hasn't provided an answer, either. Lamb's struggles -- hitting just .224 in 58 games and being unable to make what the club felt have been routine plays -- have left his job in question. Lamb sat for the fifth straight game on Thursday as Buscher got the nod.

"It's a work in progress," Gardenhire said of third base. "We're still trying to find something comfortable from the offensive side and defensive side. Buscher brings a little something different than the other guy. Lamb is a veteran, kind of a laid-back guy. Buscher has a little bit more fire in him. He's worked very hard. Like I said, we're going to use them the best we can."

Gardenhire has said he will mix in Lamb, Buscher and Matt Macri at the spot. The Twins don't necessarily view Macri as a potential everyday third baseman. And with Minnesota's noted third-base prospects at least a year away from being able to help the big club, Gardenhire must try to find a solution with what he has now.

That means giving Buscher a shot at more playing time to see if can possibly lock up the position -- similar to what Alexi Casilla has done at second base with his improvement.

"Buscher is a little more interesting of a project for every day," Gardenhire said. "I don't know how he's going to handle left-handed pitching. I'd like to give him more shots against lefties.

"He's made a lot of improvements. He's a guy that I would put out there every day. Lamb, I'm not positive about him. To this point, it's been hit and miss with him."

In his short stint with the club in April, Buscher didn't get much of a chance to demonstrate the changes he made. He played in just three games, batting .250 (2-for-8) in that span.

Now, getting more opportunities to crack the lineup, Buscher hopes he can show a more consistent presence at the plate and in the field. The infielder has spent a lot of time trying to improve his footwork from last season, and the hope is that it will come through in his play at third.

"I think I'm a smarter player now," Buscher said. "I gained a lot of experience playing up here, going back down to Triple-A and knowing what I had to do to get back here. ... This is another opportunity. I just have to make the most of it."

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