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.

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.

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.

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.

Solid start lacking national attention  —  Atlanta - The Rockies' search for respect remains an elusive thing.  —  Despite a 15-10 April record, appreciation hasn't arrived, at least not at the national level.  Highlights on ESPN or a kind word or two in national publications remain as scarce as two-dollar gas.

The Diary of Carlos Delgado  —  The students wanted to present Carlos Delgado with a gift he could actually use, something that did not cost a lot of money but showed a lot of thought.  —  Johnathan Polanco was watching the Mets on television when he thought of the perfect thing.

Cano hits one-year mark  —  Second baseman was called up a year ago Wednesday  —  ST. PETERSBURG — One year ago Wednesday, the Yankees were 11-15 and going nowhere.  —  With no obvious answers staring them in the face, general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Torre decided to shake things …

Sheffield approaching return  —  Slugger feeling optimistic following latest left wrist treatment  —  ST. PETERSBURG — When Gary Sheffield arrived at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, his injured left wrist wasn't feeling any better than it had since he injured it on Saturday.

Nationals unable to catch Marlins  —  Right-hander Armas allows five runs over 2 1/3 innings  —  WASHINGTON — Starting pitcher Tony Armas struggled for the first time this season, getting knocked out in the third inning, and the Marlins rode early homers from Reggie Abercrombie and Wes Helms …

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: 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.

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 …

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.

Barkley claims gambling problem has cost him $10M  —  Former NBA star and current TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley revealed his own struggles with gambling in an interview with ESPN after being asked about golfer John Daly, who claims to have lost between $50 million and $60 million in the past 12 years due to gambling.

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.