Sox could use starter like Arroyo  —  David Wells is back on the 15-day disabled list.  He's receiving injections of the joint lubricant Synvisc in his right knee.  And Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein could not give an exact date for his return.  —  That means the Sox are down one starter for at least two weeks.

Notes: Traber will be called up  —  Nats closer Cordero awaits some save opportunities  —  MIAMI — Right-hander Ryan Drese was scheduled to have an MRI on Saturday to determine why he experienced soreness in his right elbow on Friday night, but it was postponed, and he will have the procedure done …

Back injury will keep Casey out 6-8 weeks  —  Anyone who feels baseball is not a contact sport should check with first baseman Sean Casey.  —  The Pirates' first baseman will miss 6-8 weeks because of two fractures in his lower back, the team announced yesterday, in placing him on the 15-day disable list …

A weak accounting from Sox  —  They just don't line up well in shutout defeat  —  The writing was on the wall yesterday morning.  Tacked up in the Red Sox clubhouse, just inside the door, it went like this: Stern CF, Cora 2B, Ortiz DH, Ramírez LF, Youkilis 3B, Snow 1B, Peña RF, Bard C, Gonzalez SS.

For Now, Wright Happily Forgets How to Strike Out  —  As magnificent as David Wright's first two weeks have been, the number that impresses him most is not .421 (his batting average), .816 (his slugging percentage) or 13 (his runs batted in).  It is the loneliest number, one, which is how many strikeouts he has in 38 at-bats.

No free pass for the Giants offense  —  San Francisco's struggles at plate continue against the Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES - Jason Schmidt was good enough to overcome most of his shortcomings Saturday night.  The same couldn't be said of the Giants' hitters.

Wood to throw for staff Monday  —  Cubs will then decide on rehab start or more work for righty  —  PITTSBURGH — Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood may be ready for a real game soon.  —  Wood threw 51 pitches in a three-inning simulated game on Saturday in Mesa, Ariz., at the Cubs' extended Spring Training facility.

For true read on O's finances, Angelos needs to open books  —  It was the baseball business equivalent of a hanging curveball.  —  Orioles owner Peter Angelos told a Washington radio audience Friday that his club lost $15 million last year.  He threw that number out there and now I'm going to hit it out of the park.

Mets, Yanks could be in pitching duel for Zito  —  The A's, who have almost no hope or expectation of signing Barry Zito long-term, are said to be "discreetly" investigating trade possibilities for the star lefthander.  It must be very discreet, because executives with some teams …

Notes: Garciaparra takes swings  —  Penny won't miss next start; Kuo, Saito eyed for setup role  —  LOS ANGELES — Nomar Garciaparra swung a bat 75 times Saturday afternoon.  —  So much for the highlight of the Dodgers first baseman's workday.  But if his 32-year-old injured right rib cage …

Pedro eyeing win No. 200  —  Pedro Martinez has the baseball from his 100th win, which came Aug. 8, 199,9 against the Angels.  Tomorrow, the ace tries to notch No. 200 and get another souvenir, when the Mets open their first series with the Braves.  —  Martinez said the milestone …

Bannister to face off against Sheets  —  Milwaukee (7-4) at New York Mets (8-2), 1:10 p.m. ET  —  Another festival of firsts awaits the Mets and their fans on Sunday.  Brian Bannister is the Mets starter, and he still has some entries on his rookie to-do list: his first complete game …

Struggling Izzy gropes for solutions  —  Not yet two weeks into the season, Jason Isringhausen already has walked into some strange places.  —  Isringhausen entered the eighth inning of a one-run game last Sunday at Wrigley Field.  Instead of earning what would have been only his fourth six …