Astros GM says Clemens situation is 'status quo'  —  Houston Astros general manager Tim Purpura denied a report on Tuesday that Roger Clemens had picked a team for 2006, saying the situation was "status quo."  —  Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, and Astros' owner Drayton McLane also denied the report.

Mets promote top prospect Milledge  —  Nady placed on disabled list after undergoing appendectomy  —  NEW YORK — Another piece in a puzzle that the Mets hope one day will lead to years of long lasting success arrived at Shea Stadium in unexpected fashion Monday evening.

What would enhance RFK?  Nats fans are full of ideas … WASHINGTON // Eager to improve the game-day experience for Washington Nationals fans, the club's new owners plan to soon solicit fans' advice on what's working and what's not.  —  The owners had better be ready for an earful.

Pitching weakness could undermine team's potential  —  The Phillies surveyed their mangled pitching rotation yesterday, spun the organizational wheel, and announced that lefthander Eude Brito would be the latest answer to the musical question "Why Aren't There More Arms to Hold Me?"

Marlins sink talk of trade  —  DETROIT - There was plenty of speculation yesterday that the Yankees, Phillies and Marlins were working on a three-way deal that would put Pat Burrell in pinstripes, send Dontrelle Willis to Philadelphia and stock the low-budget Marlins with prospects, but the trade talk was quickly shot down.

Padres ride Young's gem past Rockies  —  Right-hander delivers eight innings of one-hit ball, K's eight  —  SAN DIEGO — With late life on his fastball, and curveballs, sliders and changeups that kept hitters off balance, Chris Young put it all together on Tuesday night …

Kazmir Deal Is a Debt the Mets Still Owe  —  Four out of every five days, the Mets are a resurgent franchise, flush with charismatic leaders and bankable stars, hailed for their progressive thinking and bold strategy.  —  But on the fifth day, when Scott Kazmir takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays …

Walking Cabrera can be damaging to a pitcher's ERA  —  · Check out how many intentional walks the Giants have issued and you'll get a good sense of what manager Felipe Alou thinks of them.  —  "I don't like intentional walks," Alou said, after putting up four fingers when Miguel Cabrera came …

Injuries make AL East a three-team race  —  NEW YORK — Of all the turning-point moments built into a season, the Blue Jays officially added Monday's 7-6 win over the Red Sox to the list — and not because of how they scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, or that it inched …

Sinking feeling  —  D'backs ace Webb needs only one pitch to dominate  —  One pitch.  It is arguably the filthiest pitch in baseball.  Brandon Webb's devastating sinker dives like a swimmer off a high board.  Like Mariano Rivera and his cutter, Barry Zito and his curve and Brad Lidge and his slider …

Deep outfield makes Crawford expendable for Rays  —  The Dodgers, targeting the Devil Rays' outfield surplus, are one of several teams expressing interest in Rays left fielder Carl Crawford.  —  Rival clubs can do the math: The pending return of center fielder Rocco Baldelli from the disabled list …