Graffanino back on the block  —  Trade rumors swirl around KC second baseman, but not to Boston.  The Red Sox are solid at that position.  —  It was a year ago this week that he arrived here, in a trade from the Royals to the Red Sox.  On Monday, he returned to Fenway Park, back with the Royals but again on the trading block.

Cashman finding a way to make things work in new era  —  In a bygone era, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would have pushed the trade button by now, and Washington left fielder Alfonso Soriano would be back in pinstripes.  Or Philadelphia right fielder Bobby Abreu might be wearing them for the first time.

Matsui ahead of schedule  —  Thursday is an important day for Hideki Matsui, who is scheduled to visit the doctor and could be given the go-ahead to begin basic hitting drills.  —  Matsui, who is recovering from a broken left wrist, already has been taking dry swings in which he allows …

Rangers GM looking for pitchers  —  Market tricky for starters; GM won't mortgage the future  —  TORONTO - A weekend's worth of dreary offense did not dampen the sunny optimism general manager Jon Daniels has about his lineup.  —  He is still making the acquisition of pitching the Rangers …

Rockies recall three players from Triple-A  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Colorado Rockies recalled infielders Jason Smith and Ryan Shealy and right-hander Manuel Corpas from Triple-A Colorado Springs after their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night, their eighth consecutive defeat.

Dodgers lose and may lose Kent to DL  —  Sele allows five runs, nine hits in five-plus innings to D-Backs  —  PHOENIX — Jeff Kent said Monday was "not a good day," and he wasn't talking about the Dodgers' fifth consecutive loss that dropped them below .500 for the first time since May 11.

Notes: Lowe works on pitch mechanics  —  Right-hander has worked three straight days in bullpen  —  PHOENIX — Most starting pitchers throw a bullpen session between starts.  —  Struggling Dodgers starter Derek Lowe on Monday threw his third bullpen session in as many days as he attempts …

Johnson Is Doubling as Nats' Stalwart  —  MIAMI, July 17 — Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson entered Monday's game against the Florida Marlins leading the National League in doubles with 33.  Ask Johnson, though, about that status and his reply is both bland and serious: "I'm just glad I'm out there playing."

Krukow adds color to Giants broadcasts — and how  —  In 1976, early in his pitching days with the Cubs, Mike Krukow had dinner with his wife's relatives in Chicago.  One of the other guests that night was Raul Smith, a linguistics professor from Northwestern, who couldn't believe his ears.

MLB Transactions  —  Activated outfielder Wily Mo Pena from the 15-day disabled list; recalled pitcher Jermaine Van Buren from Pawtucket of the International League (AAA); optioned pitcher Javier Lopez to Pawtucket; designated infielder Willie Harris for assignment.

RAISING PEL  —  METS' PELFREY PUMPED FOR SECOND START  —  July 18, 2006 — CINCINNATI - The debut came 10 days ago.  The encore comes now.  —  Mike Pelfrey has already begun his major league career, and he started it with a victory on July 8.  The rookie's first start was in the second …

Indians acquire RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has acquired RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Mike Adams.  Sikorski will join the Indians in Anaheim prior to tonight's game.

Ortiz is hoping 3rd time charm … Russ Ortiz will make his third start for the Orioles tonight, and if it's not better than the first two, his future in the rotation may be uncertain.  —  When asked if Ortiz must pitch well to earn another start, manager Sam Perlozzo did not say yes …

Under The Knife  —  Muse  —  Let's get right to this today.  Powered by Muse's "Revelations and Black Holes," on to the injuries:  — Mets fans like to see Pedro Martinez on the mound, even if it's just a side session.  Despite his problematic hip and a severe case of what the team thinks …

Notes: Clark likely on his way to DL  —  Diamondbacks have several options at Triple-A Tucson  —  PHOENIX — Nobody really wanted to come out and say it, but it sure looks like first baseman Tony Clark is headed to the disabled list.  —  There are a range of options at Triple-A Tucson for the D-Backs if they do put Clark on the DL.

2 more years for Baker isn't crazy  —  Actually, there's no better alternative to manage the Cubs  —  More than two months ago, on the subject of the Cubs, I wrote that "firings appear almost inevitable, if not imminent."  Two weeks ago, the view here was the sacking of manager Dusty Baker had become imminent, as well as inevitable.