Crisp expected back in the lineup Monday  —  Coco Crisp, provided he suffers no setbacks, will return to the Red Sox lineup Monday at Toronto, having missed exactly seven weeks and 42 games, manager Terry Francona said last night.  —  Crisp, recovering from a fractured left index finger and kidney stones …

Hamels scratched from scheduled start Wednesday night  —  NEW YORK (AP) -Rookie pitcher Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies experienced soreness in the back of his left shoulder while throwing in the outfield Tuesday and was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday night against the New York Mets.

Gaining new appreciation for Young  —  Spent my night off watching the Mavericks.  Somehow, I came away with a better appreciation for Michael Young.  —  Flipping back and forth between the Mavericks and Rangers, two juxtaposed images were seemingly freeze-framed.

Braves-Padres Preview  —  John Thomson and Chris Young look to continue the trend of strong starting pitching in this series when the Atlanta Braves meet the San Diego Padres in the finale of their three-game series at Petco Park on Wednesday.  —  Thomson (1-3, 2.76 ERA) …

Mets acquire El Duque from Arizona  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The pitching-thin Mets acquired Orlando Hernandez from Arizona on Wednesday, welcoming El Duque back to New York and hoping he can help them now — and maybe later, when even more is at stake.  —  The Mets traded reliever Jorge Julio to the Diamondbacks for Hernandez.

It's wild time on O's runway … With a staff of starters who all pitched fairly well last season and the game's most successful pitching coach on hand, the Orioles spoke of the mound as an area of strength, or at least reliability, this spring.  —  Seven weeks later, it seems more like a disaster zone.

Beltran shot is sweet in 16  —  Carlos' HR sparks Mets in marathon  —  So many times it could've ended earlier, but the longest game in the majors this season - both in innings and time - was only just beginning at Shea.  —  Carlos Beltran over-slid second base in the 11th.

Soler to realize dream on Wednesday  —  Right-hander left Cuba to pursue passion for baseball  —  NEW YORK — For 10 minutes after batting practice on Tuesday, only the short wall along the right-field line separated Mets starter Alay Soler from his new adoring fans.  —  He smiled.  They smiled back.

Clubhouse confidential: Breaking down a major league locker room  —  There are no Realtors, no escrow and no monthly mortgage, but tips are appreciated.  —  When it comes to real estate, lockers in major league clubhouses are no different from the outside world.  —  It's location, location, location.

Notes: Hunter develops patience  —  Twins get two off-days; team faces heavy dose of left-handers  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Aggressiveness is something that Torii Hunter has always embraced when he comes up to the plate.  —  That is until recently.  —  Known for his free-swinging style …

Doctors Make Progress With Mysterious Disease  —  OAKLAND — A horrifying and fascinating disease is affecting thousands of people in the Bay Area, along the Gulf Coast and in Florida.  Though some doctors have claimed the malady is psychosomatic, other scientists are making headway unraveling the mystery of Morgellons Disease.

Daily Graphing - Brad Penny  —  Brad Penny and Hee Seop Choi for Guillermo Mota, Paul LoDuca, and Juan Encarnacion.  That trade made two years ago was most likely Paul DePodesta's defining transaction as GM of the Dodgers.  Nobody seemed to like it, arguing LoDuca's leadership couldn't be replaced …

A-Rod offers a powerful case  —  Blasts Bosox and then critics  —  BOSTON - Be fair, Yankee fans.  —  If you're going to hammer Alex Rodriguez every time he fails to deliver in the clutch, or even when he hits too-late-to-matter home runs, you have to give him his due for taking Tim Wakefield out of the ballpark last night.

Going Deep: Bright side of Castro injury  —  Rangers use Rule 5 to advantage, sending reliever to Minors  —  The primary downside in utilizing the Rule 5 Draft is certainly not the $50,000 investment ($377,000 if the player makes the team), or even the likelihood that the player will be limited …

Girardi offers tips on facing Maddux  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Marlins hitters didn't need to go very far for an in-depth scouting report on Greg Maddux, who starts tonight for the Cubs.  —  Marlins manager Joe Girardi said he caught Maddux at least 15 times while playing with the Cubs.