Sox can't catch a break  —  They lose to Indians — and also will lose Varitek, who needs knee surgery  —  There's a vacancy sign on the captain's chair in the Red Sox clubhouse.  That doesn't bode well for them on a night when they lost, 6-3, to the Cleveland Indians and fell into a virtual tie …

Perez is intriguing addition  —  MIAMI — The "other guy" in the trade that sent Xavier Nady to the Pirates and brought reliever Roberto Hernandez back to the Mets, Oliver Perez, was at Dolphin Stadium yesterday.  "A get-to-know-you session," general manager Omar Minaya said.

Familiar Faces Lift Nationals Past S.F.  —  After Deadline, Team Makes Do: Nationals 4, Giants 1  —  Livan Hernandez used to do this all the time.  He pitched seven innings every time out, baffled batters with his ridiculously slow curveball, shrugged his shoulders as he walked off the mound, as if to say, "Hit that!"

Liriano scratched from start with pain  —  Left-hander taking precautionary measures  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins are scratching pitcher Francisco Liriano from Wednesday's start against the Rangers because of discomfort in his left forearm.  The decision was made after Liriano threw …

Irked to still be an Oriole, J. Lopez asks for release … While the Orioles' biggest star was excited about not being dealt at yesterday's non-waiver trade deadline, another one of the club's most expensive players was far from thrilled.  —  Designated hitter Javy Lopez said he was hoping …

Coach: Derby didn't hurt Cabrera  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Marlins hitting coach Jim Presley said that he has mixed feelings about the All-Star Home Run Derby because hitters can mess up the mechanics of their swing.  —  But Presley said he doesn't think third baseman Miguel Cabrera's participation …

Duaner Sanchez's night of terror  —  Police say taxi was broadsided and bounced off a concrete barrier  —  Shortly after checking into his team's Florida hotel late Sunday night, Mets setup man Duaner Sanchez showered and told his younger brother that he was hungry.

Under The Knife  —  Baseball's Billion-Dollar Question  —  The baseball season gives us some signposts along the way.  Opening Day.  The All-Star Break.  The Trading Deadline.  Times to assess the team and figure out how to get from here to there.  "Here" may be the same …

McClatchy: Savings from trades will go back into team  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates' ownership will take the money saved by the four trades Monday and reallocate it to general manager Dave Littlefield's budget for 2007, managing general partner Kevin McClatchy said last night.

Sheffield willing to shift to first  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sheffield embraced Bobby Abreu's arrival with the New York Yankees, saying he would shift to first base if needed.  —  "I gave him a hug.  I wanted him to feel welcome," Sheffield said Tuesday after Abreu reported to the Yankees …