Notes: Martinez rejoins Mets  —  Ace will continue rehab, could start by mid-September  —  NEW YORK — Pedro Martinez rejoined the Mets on Monday, and though there is still no immediate timetable for his return to the mound, the team is pleased with the ace's progress and expects him back later this month.

Another top drawer battle at Fenway  —  Chicago (79-57) at Boston (73-64), 6:05 p.m. CT  —  On July 7, just three days before the All-Star break, the White Sox and Red Sox began an exciting three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field that appeared to many as a possible preview of the American League Championship Series.

Girardi will fit in birth of his daughter today  —  MIAMI GARDENS — When your wife is having your baby, priorities change, even for a major-league manager.  —  Joe Girardi will be with his wife, Kim, who is expecting their third child, when she is induced this morning.

Notes: Church to stay on bench  —  Logan to start in center field for Nationals for rest of season  —  WASHINGTON — Since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on July 22, Ryan Church is hitting .284 (25-for-88) with four home runs and 16 RBIs.  It looked like he would be the everyday …

A question of mistrust  —  Is Ryan Howard juiced?  —  Don't blame me for wondering.  It might not be fair, but it isn't my (or your) fault for asking before plunging headlong into another home run chase.  —  Blame baseball, blame society, blame a summer that has given us Floyd Landis …

Phils' bright future on display in victory  —  Utley belts walk-off homer; Howard, Hamels play key roles  —  PHILADELPHIA — Many of the 44,674 came to watch a future Hall of Famer.  —  As a bonus, they saw the Phillies' future perform wonders for the team's present.

A's can't rebound from Zito's rough start  —  Lefty issues six walks, allows seven runs in 5 1/3 innings  —  OAKLAND — The various advertising agencies contracted by the A's over the past several years have, though a series of cleverly conceived TV commercials, given the team a reputation for having a great sense of humor.

Notes: Billingsley not yet ready to start  —  Dodgers unsure of Friday night starter against Mets at Shea  —  MILWAUKEE — It's still not known who will start Friday when the Dodgers play the Mets at Shea Stadium on Friday night, but it won't be Chad Billingsley.

Cubs can't overcome Big Z's early exit  —  Theriot hits three-run double in rally effort, but error looms large  —  CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano tried to be a hero on Monday.  It wasn't a good move.  —  Zambrano, who has been the one constant in the Cubs rotation this year …

Speedy Matsui jets his way into Rockies' future plans  —  Los Angeles - Kaz Matsui continues to play a starring role in "The Fast and The Curious."  He remains in the lineup because of his speed, quick bat and, just as important, contract talks that aren't running in circles.

Steelers sign St. Pierre as appendectomy sidelines Big Ben  —  Minimally invasive surgery expected to cause him to miss two games  —  By Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Steelers have signed one of their former quarterbacks, Brian St. Pierre …

Mailbag: Will Buck be back?  —  Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions  —  Can we expect manager Buck Showalter to be back next year, or is there a good chance he will be released during the offseason for being unable to lead the Rangers to the playoffs?