Selig promises to remedy blackouts  —  PITTSBURGH - Even the commissioner of baseball isn't immune to the sport's television blackout rules.  —  Bud Selig admitted Tuesday that he has been restricted from watching some games this season - and that he intends to change the policy that leaves …

Phil in blank  —  All-Star Confidential  —  PITTSBURGH - In their quest to land a power-hitting outfielder before the trading deadline, the Yankees are closely monitoring developments in Philadelphia, where GM Pat Gillick is seeking to dump the hefty contracts of Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu.

Wright, Beltran hit home  —  PITTSBURGH - Don't blame the Mets.  —  David Wright, who reached the finals of the Home Run Derby, picked up where he left off with the first pitch he ever saw in an All-Star Game.  Wright, who had a .367 average against lefties during the first half …

Report details injury  —  Ramírez might have tear in knee  —  PITTSBURGH — Even as Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig reiterated yesterday he was irritated with Manny Ramírez's no-show at the 77th All-Star Game, a report purporting to offer details of the injury to Ramírez's right knee emerged.

Selig defends drug-testing program  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bud Selig defended baseball's drug-testing program Tuesday and insisted the toughened policy is working, and later touched on recent scandals set off by Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco and Jason Grimsley.  —  "I really think steroid use has been minimized," the commissioner said.

Soriano unaffected by unfamiliarity  —  Left fielder goes 1-for-2 in first National League All-Star action  —  PITTSBURGH — In his previous three All-Star Games, Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano knew everyone on the American League team, from the Yankees' Derek Jeter to Rangers shortstop Michael Young.

Cora mishap with fungo bat KO's Zambrano  —  PITTSBURGH — A freak accident involving White Sox third base coach Joey Cora and Cubs All-Star Carlos Zambrano could send the right-hander to the disabled list for the first time since 2002.  —  Zambrano was the only Cubs representative …

Halfway there  —  Mets Midseason Report Card  —  Getting Pedro Martinez healthy, keeping the bullpen fresh and letting the deepest non-AL lineup in baseball continue to compile monster numbers should be enough to return to October for the first time since the Mets lost to the Yankees in 2000.

Under The Knife  —  Which Limp?  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  By the time you read this, I'll be in Pittsburgh.  Brad Wochomurka and I will be covering the All-Star Game for Baseball Prospectus Radio and, like last year, we'll talk with as many players as possible.

Reyes, Glavine settle for being All-Star spectators  —  The All-Star Game lost some of its sparkle for the Mets yesterday when Tom Glavine and Jose Reyes were forced to bow out.  —  Both still will attend the festivities in Pittsburgh.  They just won't be playing.