O'Connor Gets the Start Over Traber  —  This much we know: Left-hander Mike O'Connor was recalled from Class AAA New Orleans yesterday by the Washington Nationals, and he will start today's homestand-ending game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  That's the simple part of the equation.

Cards Notebook: Albert's homers are clutch  —  More Albert  —  Locked in a race for MVP with the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols finds himself at a disadvantage in home runs and RBIs.  However, he has no competition in what his home runs have meant.

Trio of White Sox battling discomfort  —  Buehrle and Jenks sent to Chicago for exams; Dye sits  —  BOSTON — Even with the addition of five callups from Triple-A Charlotte since Friday, the White Sox found themselves a bit short-handed for the second game of a three-game series at Fenway Park on Tuesday night.

As Howard gives chase, Maris is still the man  —  If Ryan Howard clubs nine more home runs this season, giving him 62, then the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman should be recognized as the single-season, 162-game home run champion.  —  It's as simple as that.

Papelbon has fatigued shoulder  —  After rest, closer will begin strengthening program  —  BOSTON — The worst fears of the Red Sox and their passionate fans were put to rest on Tuesday night, when it was announced that there is nothing structurally wrong with the prized right shoulder of star rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Teahen out to have surgery  —  Third baseman is done for year because of torn labrum in shoulder.  German, Keppinger to take his spot.  —  Before Mark Teahen took the field Tuesday night, he knew it was going to be his last game of the season.  —  Teahen will undergo season-ending surgery Friday …

No Setbacks for Rivera; No Concerns for Torre  —  When the subject is Mariano Rivera, Yankees Manager Joe Torre puts his faith in the results of last Thursday's magnetic resonance imaging exam.  Since that test showed no structural damage to Rivera's elbow — only a mild muscle strain — Torre said he was not worried.

Former Giant Williams claimed off waiver wire  —  A's notebook  —  OAKLAND — There's still a month left in the season, but the A's are already looking ahead to next year.  By claiming ex-Giants pitcher Jerome Williams on waivers from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, the team has some reinforcements entering spring training.

Moehler will start for Nolasco again  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Pitcher Brian Moehler's season is coming full circle.  —  The veteran right-hander will make his second straight start Saturday in place of rookie right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who is recovering from soreness behind his right knee.

Jays must spend wisely after bumping payroll  —  Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers agrees with his general manager, J.P. Ricciardi, who doesn't think the team can make the post-season out of the American League East with a payroll of $70 million.  —  Rogers, the president of Canadian media titan …

Best deadline deal?  Maddux to Dodgers  —  Was there really a time when we debated whether Greg Maddux could be an asset for a contender?  Why didn't we just ask if the earth was round, if poker was on television and if Will Ferrell had a movie in production?

Attendence, Cubs hit rock bottom  —  Smallest crowd of '06 sees Cubs fumble their way to cellar  —  Wrigley Field looked like a time warp Tuesday night as the Cubs fell into the basement of the National League Central with a 6-5 loss to Pittsburgh.  —  The announced crowd of 31,494 …

Baker receives major promotion  —  Outfielder enjoyed big year for Sky Sox  —  San Diego - If Jeff Baker can excel at multitasking, he might have a spot on the Rockies' 25-man roster next season.  —  Baker, right-handed pitchers Denny Bautista and Ubaldo Jimenez, left-handers Mike Venafro …