Mets sign former Met Edgardo Alfonzo to Minor League contract  —  The New York Mets announced today that they have signed former Met Edgardo Alfonzo to a minor league contract.  Alfonzo, who played with the Mets from 1995-2002, will join Norfolk (AAA) of the International League on Monday on the road in Indianapolis.

Taubenheim's staph infection forces Blue Jays to clean clubhouse  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays disinfected their clubhouse after being forced to place right-hander Ty Taubenheim on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with an infection in his left foot …

Politte designated for assignment  —  Reliever Tracey to return to the big leagues  —  NEW YORK — Cliff Politte stood in front of his locker in the visitors clubhouse of Yankee Stadium on Saturday and explained what had to be one of the toughest moments of his 10-year career.

Rangers' Matthews has golden dreams  —  BALTIMORE - Outfielder Gary Matthews acknowledged Friday that he has given thought to winning the Gold Glove.  —  "Only since I was about 5 years old," Matthews said.  "I walked into Bobby Bonds' house and saw his trophy case full of them.

Second Half Begins With Quiet Debuts  —  PITTSBURGH, July 14 — The acquisition of Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez was touted, by all parties involved, as a move for the long-term success of the Washington Nationals, certainly not a quick solution for this season's woes.

Making their cases  —  Trachsel wins 7th straight, Floyd gets big hit as Minaya looks on  —  CHICAGO - When the Mets opened the second half of the season Friday at Wrigley Field, general manager Omar Minaya was in attendance, cell phone to his ear, tireless in his quest to find a No. 3 starter and another offensive weapon for October.

Braves-Padres Preview  —  The San Diego Padres are looking to win two straight division titles for the first time in their history.  The Atlanta Braves , meanwhile, are a long shot to extend one of the longest division-title streaks in any major sport.  —  Holding onto a slim lead …

Future murky for Bonds, manager Alou  —  Giants president admits there will be substantial changes  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Peter Magowan, the Giants president and managing general partner, said this weekend that the composition of the team will be different next year and that he will continue …

Foulke Says Selig Was Unfair  —  Backs Ramirez's All-Star No-Show  —  BOSTON — Keith Foulke thought commissioner Bud Selig was out of line to criticize Manny Ramirez for skipping Tuesday night's All-Star Game.  —  "Being a guy who's gone through the experience, the All-Star break is not a break," Foulke said Friday.

D-Backs call up Drew  —  Shortstop set to make debut in place of injured Counsell  —  PHOENIX — The future is now for at least one Diamondbacks prospect.  —  After veteran shortstop Craig Counsell broke a rib in the seventh inning of Friday night's win over the Brewers …

Pavano, Beltre haven't lived up to contracts … Every year major league teams spend millions of dollars on players who are almost always injured, who don't take their clubs to the next level or who simply don't live up to expectations.  —  The majority of these "busts" were either free-agent signings …

Bonds legal team readies slugger for indictment  —  Tony Gwynn: Giants need Bonds for playoffs  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds' legal team is preparing for the San Francisco slugger to be indicted as soon as next week and has begun plotting his defense.

Horton trying to bridge past, present  —  Former Tiger to be part of Negro Leagues Weekend  —  DETROIT — Put down that PDA.  Set aside that stylus.  Instead of learning about your favorite baseball team via wireless updates, how about reading a book like Roger Kahn's "Boys of Summer" …

Notes: Tomko may land in bullpen  —  After DL stint, Dodgers righty could return as a reliever  —  ST. LOUIS — When Brett Tomko returns from the disabled list, he'll probably return as a late-inning reliever.  —  Tomko was able to make 20 throws off a mound on Saturday at about 90 percent effort …