Lerners, MLB Finish Details of Nats Deal  —  D.C. Steps Up Pressure on Comcast to Air Games  —  Bethesda developer Theodore N. Lerner and his family were wrapping up final details with Major League Baseball last night on the purchase of the Washington Nationals for $450 million …

Once a Yankee: Wells backs Fenway fans' take on Damon  —  David Wells was not exactly in an agreeable frame of mind with his former manager Joe Torre last night.  —  When told how the Yankees manager expressed disappointment in Red Sox fans for booing ex-Sox and current Yankee Johnny Damon on Monday night, Wells said, "Awww, poor Joe.

Sweeney headed for DL after exam confirms bulging disk  —  DETROIT — An examination Tuesday in Kansas City confirmed that Royals captain Mike Sweeney has a bulging cervical disk — but a different disk from the one that sidelined him for extended periods in 2003 and 2004.

Notes: Sanchez fits in perfectly  —  Wagner's primary setup man hasn't allowed a run all season  —  NEW YORK — A relief pitcher who consistently gets his job done sometimes blends into the background, just like an exceptional umpire.  —  The way Duaner Sanchez has been pitching, though …

Notes: Majewski works through struggles  —  Robinson says reliever will work in lower-pressure situations  —  NEW YORK — Reliever Gary Majewski met with manager Frank Robinson before the Nationals faced the Mets on Tuesday, and they spoke mostly about the bad throw Majewski made that cost the Nationals Monday's game.

Jered Weaver Might Get Next Try in Colon's Spot  —  The Angels, confident that Jered Weaver is ready for the major leagues after one month at triple A, are leaning toward starting him Saturday in Toronto and giving him the chance to replace Bartolo Colon in the rotation.

Cubs' new excuse rings hollow  —  He's out there somewhere, the Cubs' savior.  He's wearing sweat pants, dribbling beer down his chin into a pile of potato-chip crumbs on his shirt, flipping between "ElimiDate'' and "Fear Factor.'' Oh, the stories he tells about his days as a high school pitcher.

Strained back keeps Pujols on the bench  —  CINCINNATI — Cardinals first baseman and April NL player of the month Albert Pujols did not play Tuesday because of a back strain stemming from his slide into first base during a game April 23 against the Chicago Cubs.

Dodgers lead early, fall late to D-Backs  —  Early six-run advantage, two Drew homers go for naught  —  PHOENIX — Manager Grady Little scrambled the Dodgers batting order on Tuesday night, and the result was an eight-run windfall.  —  If only fixing the pitching staff was that easy.

Hamels turns in another stellar performance  —  MIAMI - According to general manager Pat Gillick, for Cole Hamels to reach the major leagues soon, he must give up a bunch of runs and prove he can rebound from the setback, and he must prove he will stay healthy.  —  The latter will happen over time.

White Sox looking strong  —  We're going to give you five reasons why the Chicago White Sox are a better team now than when they won the World Series last season.  Truthfully, there are more than five reasons, but short lists do a better job of taking complicated information and organizing it into digestible nuggets.

Prospect gets 100-game ban  —  Devil Rays minor leaguer gets stiff penalty in drug case  —  Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league pitcher Matt Rico was suspended for 100 games yesterday after testing positive for a drug of abuse.  —  Rico is in extended spring training, and hadn't played for a team yet this season.