Grimsley asks for and gets release from D-Backs  —  PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday released pitcher Jason Grimsley, one day after his home was searched by federal agents as part of an investigation into steroid use by athletes.  —  General manager Josh Byrnes told …

Pedro has an off day  —  LOS ANGELES — It might be a good idea for the Mets to keep Pedro Martinez away from Grady Little.  The Curse of the Bambino may be broken, but the karma between these two may be irreparable, and that is as good a reason as any for Martinez' inexplicable meltdown …

Rangers pick lefty from Alabama  —  ARLINGTON - Most things being pretty equal, the Rangers' first-round draft decision Tuesday came down to taking a lefty or right-hander.  —  In the case of the Rangers, left is always right.  —  And so, the club chose diminutive Alabama high schooler Kasey Kiker …

2d-rounder from Lenape says he'll go to college  —  Lenape High senior Sean Black, who did not win a game as a junior, was selected by the Washington Nationals in the second round of Major League Baseball's first-year player draft yesterday.  —  But Black, 18, said he would bypass the Nationals and honor a scholarship to Seton Hall.

Draft Chat: Jim Callis  —  Q: … A:  —  Jim Callis: Hi, everyone.  Let's see how many questions we can knock off in 90 minutes, before I have to do some radio before chatting at ESPN at 2 ET . . . Parmelee is comparable Moses.  Both were considered among the best pure high school bats in their respective draft years.

It hurts Jeter to watch, but kids help ease pain  —  Derek Jeter sat alone in front of his locker at about 20minutes to 5 last night, having answered all possible questions about his injured right thumb.  The rest of the Yankees were on the field for batting practice, but Jeter was not with them …

Reyes Is a Dynamo, but He's Still Not Playing the Percentages  —  LOS ANGELES, June 6 — Coming off a tough loss Sunday, José Reyes set the tone for the Mets' 4-1 victory Monday by hitting a homer to lead off the game.  It was his sixth home run of the year, one fewer than his career high, set last season.

Tigers get a taste of Cintron … CHICAGO — There are, in fact, several living human beings who can remember the last time a Tigers-White Sox series felt like this.  —  Big.  Well, bigger than a Daily Lotto drawing, anyway.  —  Meaningful.  Well, more meaningful than a Nicole Jordan novel, at least.

Soriano Dazzles, Baffles Nationals  —  Outfielder Homers, Makes Error in Loss: Braves 5, Nationals 3  —  ATLANTA, June 6 — Most plays in baseball seem to come rather easily for Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano.  The four-time all-star has one of the best swings in the majors and is among the game's fastest players.

MLB Draft: Cardinals emphasize pitching  —  Jeff Luhnow, the Cardinals' vice president of player procurement, projected that college pitchers would be the focal point of major league teams in the early choices of the amateur draft Tuesday, and the Cardinals did their part by making …

Alas, the odds are against M's top pick  —  This just in from Twilight Zone News Services:  —  SEATTLE — Picking up a phone to answer a call from the Seattle Mariners, highly regarded pitcher Brandon Morrow suffered an injury to his pitching elbow Tuesday that may have to be repaired by "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery.

Gagne sore after first save  —  In his second outing, the Dodgers closer feels some discomfort  —  LOS ANGELES — Eric Gagne converted his first save in nearly a year on Tuesday night, but the grimace on his face and slow readings of the radar gun told the rest of the story.

Injury hampers lefty Anderson  —  Anderson has MRI after leaving game with elbow soreness  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Left-handed pitcher Brian Anderson had a setback on the road to recovery from Tommy John surgery.  —  Anderson was taken out of an extended spring game Monday after complaining …

Penned-up emotions  —  Wagner surprised that Willie didn't use him in save situation  —  LOS ANGELES - Billy Wagner sat alone on the dugout bench early yesterday afternoon, bouncing a baseball off the concrete steps as he searched for the right words to answer a series of delicate questions.

Was it right pick?  No one really knows  —  Here's the one thing we know for sure about baseball's amateur draft: We don't know anything.  To question the wisdom of the Royals taking Luke Hochevar with the first pick is like second-guessing your buddy for picking a Powerball number.