It's Official: Lerner Will Own Nationals  —  Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called Bethesda-based billionaire Theodore N. Lerner today to tell him he will be the new owner of the Washington Nationals, team sources said.  —  An announcement by Major League Baseball is expected shortly.

Padres-Dodgers Preview  —  Jae Seo was a major reason why the Los Angeles Dodgers ' starting pitching dominated the San Diego Padres this past weekend.  —  Seo looks for a second straight win over the Padres when the Dodgers play host to their NL West rivals on Wednesday in the opener of a two-game set.

Can the Reds keep it up?  If they're healthy ...  The Cincinnati Reds just took two of three against Houston, swept a two-game set against the Cardinals, sit atop the National League Central (the toughest division in baseball thus far) and are on pace to win 110 games.

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.

Notes: Shoulder sends Ohka to DL  —  Righty expected out at least one month; no surgery scheduled  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers placed Tomo Ohka on the disabled list on Wednesday with a shoulder injury that will sideline the right-hander for at least a month.

Maryland man auctions off 25 years of loyalty to the Royals  —  Chad Carroll didn't know how he would feel around 10 a.m. Tuesday.  —  Perhaps he would regret selling his 25-year loyalty to the Royals on eBay.  Maybe he'd feel so guilty about abandoning the team he's always loved that he'd call the whole thing off.

PLAYERS: JETER OVER-RATED  —  May 3, 2006 — BOSTON - Derek Jeter smiled at the news that his peers named him the most over-rated player in the big leagues.  —  In a Sports Illustrated poll of 470 players, Jeter was named on 9 percent of the ballots as the most over-rated.

RANGERS NOTES  —  Rangers put Castro on DL  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Rangers placed left-hander Fabio Castro on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained left groin.  Castro said he was injured during Monday's game.  That night, he got up and began warming in the bullpen in the seventh inning, but quickly sat down again.

Notes: Kotchman reveals illness  —  First baseman says he has contracted mononucleosis  —  DETROIT — Casey Kotchman revealed that he has mononucleosis before Wednesday night's game.  —  The infielder, who has started 19 games at first base this season, wasn't in the lineup.

Mariners Notebook: Sexson in serious funk  —  Hitting just .216, cleanup man tries to retool swing  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Maybe it's a weird time for a makeover, but Richie Sexson doesn't think so.  —  Sexson is in such a funk with his swing that he's perfectly content to put his old swing behind him and work on a new, improved version.

Astros talk to Clemens' agents, ready to pay  —  HOUSTON — It appears the Houston Astros are ready to show Roger Clemens the money.  —  The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros started negotiations with Clemens at no less than a pro-rated amount of the $18 million salary …

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 …

Bonds expected to play after being hit by ball  —  MILWAUKEE — The Curse of the Bambino might have found its next victim: Barry Bonds.  —  Bonds, only two home runs away from tying Babe Ruth's career mark of 714, was left in a temporary daze after getting bonked in the forehead …

Benson gives O's another reprieve … Their bullpen has performed miserably and their lineup has been ravaged by injuries.  But the two times this season, when it has appeared that the Orioles might be on the verge of crashing under the weight of a extended losing streak …

Anderson's woes trying Sox's patience  —  CLEVELAND — Mark Buehrle left Cleveland with a puffy ERA, and catcher Chris Widger and right fielder Jermaine Dye departed with assorted ailments.  —  Fortunately for the White Sox, they have enough depth to address more pressing concerns …