Congress Might Seek Blood Tests For Baseball  —  Fifteen months after a seminal confrontation with Major League Baseball over its drug-testing policy, members of Congress expressed disappointment yesterday over the inability of the sport to deter the use of performance-enhancing drugs …

Lester to debut tomorrow  —  Rookie lefty will start vs. Rangers  —  NEW YORK — Once last night's game started, it was clear Jon Lester, the most celebrated Red Sox lefthanded prospect since Bruce Hurst, was going to make his major league debut in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.

Soriano Keeps Nats Running  —  There is a generations-old image of what a leadoff man should look like, how he should hit, what pitches he should take and at which ones he should swing.  At various points, the Washington Nationals wanted men named Endy Chavez and Brandon Watson …

Arizona Sees a Hernández It Didn't Know Before Trade  —  PHOENIX, June 8 - The Arizona Diamondbacks spent seven weeks of spring training getting acquainted with Orlando Hernandez, their new teammate, and another seven weeks learning his quirks and habits.  —  That familiarity yielded a whole lot of nothing Thursday night.

Milledge or Cabrera: This Town's Big Enough for Both  —  PHOENIX, June 8 — Lastings Milledge is proving that New York has enough room for two precocious outfielders.  —  The Yankees' Melky Cabrera stole a home run from Manny Ramírez on Tuesday, but their game against the Red Sox …

Sheffield likely out until September  —  Yankees right fielder to undergo surgery on left wrist  —  NEW YORK — With Hideki Matsui out until September with a fractured wrist, the Yankees were hopeful that therapy would be enough to get Gary Sheffield and his ailing wrist back on the field before too long.

Cards trade talks have intensified  —  The day after his replacement first baseman detected a "flat" aftertaste to the Cardinals' three-game sweep by the Cincinnati Reds, general manager Walt Jocketty confirmed Thursday the club has accelerated its search for another hitter to support …

Injuries dim A's victory Harden back on DL, Crosby hurt  —  Cleveland — Oakland's optimism as players began to trickle back from the disabled list is over.  Thursday, before the team's 4-1 victory over the Indians, the A's placed one of their most important players back onto the DL …

Cordero is finally coming around  —  Former closer has momentum back on his side  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Francisco Cordero's confidence is up and his ERA is down.  —  Cordero pitched in pressure-packed, late-game situations Tuesday and Wednesday nights and responded with two saves.

Younger Papelbon aims to beat odds  —  Drafted in 48th round, brother of Sox closer has plenty of desire  —  NEW YORK — In a way, it couldn't be more fitting that Josh Papelbon was taken at pick No. 1,443 (and round 48) in the First-Year Player Draft by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Leyritz: I was taking 'greenies'  —  In his April 19 interview with federal officials, Jason Grimsley reportedly said, "Everybody had greenies.  That's like aspirin."  —  Count Jim Leyritz, Yankees fan favorite, as one of "everybody."  —  In an interview yesterday morning with radio shock jocks Opie …

Giants accept gift-wrapped win, thank you  —  San Francisco prevails in the bottom of the ninth inning on a two-out, bases-loaded wild pitch  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Anybody suspecting that the Giants might be leading a charmed life should refer to their charmless 5-4 victory Thursday night over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Agent has vested interest  —  Agent Matt Sosnick represents several key Marlins players, including four-fifths of the rotation.  —  cspencer@MiamiHerald.com  —  SAN FRANCISCO - It's nothing personal.  —  ''I love Brian Moehler,'' Matt Sosnick said.  ``He's a great guy.''

Hamilton on the comeback trail  —  TAMPA — The doorbell rang at 2 in the morning last October.  Mary Holt trudged to the door, looked through the peephole and saw a stranger on her porch.  —  Holt, 75, slowly opened the front door.  It was as if she saw a ghost.  The boy had lost 40 pounds.

Royals put on rally caps  —  KC overcomes seven-run deficit in its 16-12 victory over the Rangers.  —  Sure, Dayton Moore probably ought to wait a few more games before drawing any immediate conclusions.  —  But, admit it, the Royals welcomed their new general manager …