Source: ChiSox 'extremely close' to Soriano deal  —  The White Sox are "extremely close" to trading for Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano, a source close to the situation told ESPN The Magazine's Tim Kurkjian.  The Nationals have great interest in pitcher Brandon McCarthy.

Cubs place Lee back on DL with wrist inflammation … FLUSHING, N.Y. — Clearly bothered by inflammation of the right wrist after undergoing surgery three months ago, Derrek Lee was put back on the disabled list by the Chicago Cubs on Monday.  —  The slugging first baseman hit just .227 …

Vote of confidence  —  Hall of Famer Robinson sticks up for A-Rod  —  HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Hang in there, A-Rod.  The gold standard of defensive third basemen is in your corner.  —  Brooks Robinson was in his home state of Arkansas on Monday hosting a celebrity golf tournament …

Lerner group closes purchase of Nationals  —  WASHINGTON —A group led by local real estate developer Ted Lerner and Stan Kasten officially took control of the Washington Nationals on Monday, finalizing the $450 million purchase of the club from Major League Baseball.

Dodgers acquire LaMura for Alomar  —  Catcher traded for Double-A pitcher; Repko to be activated  —  LOS ANGELES — With the team caught in a tailspin, the Dodgers announced a move after Sunday's 6-1 loss.  Sandy Alomar was sent to the White Sox in exchange for right-hander BJ LaMura …

Mets Learn a Lesson About Maintaining Focus  —  Aaron Heilman fielded Chris Burke's grounder; his mistake was taking it to first.  Burke beat him to the bag.  —  Despite what it says on the schedule, the Mets will probably not play their next meaningful game until October.

Cabrera Is a Royal Pain for Brown  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Orlando Cabrera is an outgoing player, often fraternizing with opponents during batting practice and chatting them up on the basepaths, but the Angels shortstop is not exactly making friends with Kansas City Royals outfielder Emil Brown.

Future Shock  —  2B Alberto Callaspo, Triple-A Tucson (Diamondbacks)  —  Callaspo is on another roll, with Sunday's five-hit performance as part of Tucson's 28-5 drubbing of Salt Lake representing his fifth consecutive multi-hit game.  It's a streak in which he's gone 15-for-27 with a pair of doubles …

Twins could use Lee's power  —  CLEVELAND - Several major league scouts sat in the Jacobs Field press lounge before Sunday's Twins game, sipping coffee and talking smart.  —  CLEVELAND - Several major league scouts sat in the Jacobs Field press lounge before Sunday's Twins game, sipping coffee and talking smart.

SAVE YOURSELF FROM STATISTICS  —  IT'S OFFICIAL.  We've all gone nuts.  Just as the bells cost Quasimodo his hearing, the numbers - stats and their misapplication - have cost us our sanity.  —  Saturday, during Astros-Mets on Fox, Joe Buck noted that the Nats' Livan Hernandez …