Martin Has Earned Some Security  —  DENVER — Grady Little likes to give a cryptic answer when asked about upcoming roster moves.  —  "We'll do what gives us the best chance to win," the manager has said.  —  But when it comes to rookie catcher Russell Martin, the meaning is clear …

Good at-bats helping Varitek catch up  —  BALTIMORE — A year ago this morning, Jason Varitek had 15 RBIs on the season.  This morning he has 18.  However, a year ago he was hitting .318 with 7 home runs.  Now he's hitting .243 with 3 homers.  —  The good news: Varitek reached base five times …

A's smack Felix around  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Mariners came into the season fairly confident that Felix Hernandez wasn't in over his head, pitching in the big leagues at 20.  —  It would be no surprise if that confidence had been shaken some in the first six weeks of the 2006 season.

Bonds' chase gets a jolt from Springer … HOUSTON — Some day, once Barry Bonds' 714th and 715th homers are out of the way (assuming they ever are), no one will remember Russ Springer's role in this saga.  —  But on a crazy, history-free Tuesday evening in Houston, Springer vs. Bonds was your official DVR moment of the night.

Proper grip eludes pitcher  —  BALTIMORE — Because the Red Sox won, Curt Schilling said, he was assured of getting some sleep last night.  ''An hour or two, anyway," he said.  —  But the stuff that keeps Schilling up at night — and Sox fans wondering what happened to the guy who was so dominant …

Nolasco set for first start  —  Ricky Nolasco's family rooted for John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves when the Marlins pitcher was growing up in California.  But loyalty only goes so far.  —  When Nolasco makes his first big-league start tonight, he'll take on Smoltz.  And the Nolascos won't be pulling for the Braves.

RANGERS NOTES  —  Hicks still on Clemens' trail  —  NEW YORK - Rangers owner Tom Hicks is in New York for the quarterly Major League Baseball owners' meetings, which take place today and Thursday, and include an official vote on the sale of the Washington Nationals.

Mets could clear way for Glavine's exit  —  Never mind that $12 million club option for 2007 that the Mets included in left-hander Tom Glavine's restructured contract: There is little chance the team will exercise it.  —  The Mets have agreed informally to decline the option if Glavine wants …

Bad Call  —  If all I did was watch SNY (and it's close), I'd have no problem picking a Mets MVP for 2006.  —  Clearly, it's Dave Magadan.  Every time I turn this channel on, there he is going 3-for-4.  He's gotta be 21-for-28 by now.  And the Mets are on the verge of clinching …

Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic  —  Q: Well, Jim Tracy's defense of Jeromy Burnitz for not hustling in the second Diamondbacks game was certainly interesting.  Is Tracy's rule going to be that loafing is OK as long as nobody can prove definitively that it cost the Pirates the game?

Cards Notebook: Reyes might get call  —  The Cardinals' top prospect, righthanded pitcher Anthony Reyes, is expected to skip his next scheduled start for Class AAA Memphis so he can be ready to start Saturday for the Cardinals in Kansas City.  —  With Sidney Ponson on the disabled list …

KC: Where the wild things are  —  CLEVELAND — A wild thing can make your heart sink.  Just ask the Royals who, among their many other deficiencies, are on pace to set a modern record this season for wild pitches.  —  "They have come at bad times, too," pitching coach Bob McClure said.  "Why so many?

New start for Hansen  —  BALTIMORE - Craig Hansen's four-inning stint for Triple-A Pawtucket Monday night may be the start of an interesting twist in the development of the 22-year-old right-hander.  —  Believed by most to be a closer in waiting, Hansen started Game 2 of a doubleheader …

Padres-Diamondbacks Preview  —  Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin believes the NL West race will be competitive this season.  His team's early play against the defending champion San Diego Padres is certainly one reason.  —  The Diamondbacks look to defeat the Padres for the eighth straight …

Thompson might be latest bargain  —  PHOENIX - The Padres are adept at finding inexpensive pitchers who give solid to excellent returns on the dollar.  Pitchers such as Clay Hensley, Brian Sweeney, Scott Cassidy, Brian Tollberg and Craig Breslow more than repaid the relatively small investments.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Trouble in Wrigleyville  —  Three weeks ago this Wednesday, I did an in-studio radio gig with Dave Kaplan and Tom Waddle at WGN.  The Cubs were 12-7 at the time.  Derrek Lee had just been injured, but we couldn't help but look at the upcoming schedule …