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.

Nationals name Mike Rizzo Assistant GM and Vice President of Baseball Operations  —  Former Diamondbacks scouting executive laid foundation of talent that resulted in organization's No. 1 ranking per Baseball America  —  The Washington Nationals today appointed Mike Rizzo as Assistant General Manager …

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 …

Slapstick home run livens up Safeco lore  —  In its short history, the local ballyard has not been a repository of exotic moments.  —  Perhaps it is the uptight franchise's penchant for neatness, propriety and politeness.  Maybe the yard needs an ex-player's ghost to haunt a bullpen.

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 …

OK outing for Lester, family  —  SEATTLE — By his count, Jon Lester figures there were about 50 family members and friends in the stands yesterday at Safeco Field, a place they'd seen him pitch once before, while he was still starring for Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma.

Notes: Polanco eyes Tuesday return  —  Infielder feels fine, minus swelling from beaning  —  CLEVELAND — Suffice it to say, Placido Polanco is not the squeamish type.  —  He remembers Esteban Loaiza's pitch hitting his jaw Sunday and everything that happened afterwards.

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.

Five trades that need to happen  —  Baseball's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is in the offing, and that means it's an especially frenzied time of year.  —  Baseball fans are already inundated with stories about who might go where and who's already gone somewhere, so let's shift the focus a bit.

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 …

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 …