Shot at a starting job a relief for McCarthy  —  But he won't count on being in 2007 rotation  —  CLEVELAND — Brandon McCarthy doesn't assume he'll automatically be in the White Sox's rotation next season.  —  But he has embraced getting back into a routine as he prepares for Wednesday night's start …

No Longer His Heyday, Too Early for Mayday  —  Randy Johnson went 17-11 this season and exceeded 200 innings for the 14th time.  But he has not looked like the pitcher who has won four Cy Young awards.  —  When you have known Randy Johnson for a decade, and helped him rebuild his back and realize …

Randy backs out of start  —  Unit now iffy for playoffs  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Yankee fans have wondered which Randy Johnson they would see in the playoffs - the dominant, age-defying marvel or the vulnerable 43-year-old who has been substandard of late.  Now, with the news last night …

Notes: Verlander to rest until playoffs  —  Rookie righty hopes skipping start will allow him to be fresh  —  DETROIT — Justin Verlander's regular season is over so that his postseason has a better chance of a good start.  —  Though manager Jim Leyland left his rotation open for the final weekend …

Cards are looking like '64 Phillies  —  The ghost of Gene Mauch may not be hovering above Busch Stadium, ready to pay an unwelcome visit to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.  But with the Cardinals wheezing in the final days of a potentially devastating finish to the regular season …

Hoffman, closers deserve more respect  —  Something really REALLY BIG happened in baseball on Sunday, something not quite akin to Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron's all-time home-run record, but not far off.  —  Padres right-hander Trevor Hoffman BROKE the all-time career saves record …

This Man Is Extremely, EXTREMELY Old  —  This bespeckled elderly gentleman is Silas Simmons, and he was recently discovered to be the oldest living Negro Leagues ballplayer.  He is 110 ... wha?  He's 110??!!  And he's 111 next month?  Jesus.  —  Anyway, he played for the Homestead Grays in 1913 …

Cloud follows Martinez, Mets' plans  —  Righty makes final regular-season start Wednesday  —  ATLANTA — The Mets play three games here this week, three games of no consequence in terms of their playoff positioning.  Pedro Martinez starts one of them, though, and for him and the Mets …

Girardi wants to stay with Marlins  —  Manager denies speculation he wants job with Cubs  —  MIAMI — As far as Joe Girardi is concerned, he was hired as Marlins manager for three seasons, and he intends to fulfill the terms of his contract.  —  Speaking Tuesday afternoon before the Marlins faced …

For Kearns, Nats' Win Is Still Painful to Watch  —  When his Washington Nationals teammates were running into outs on the base paths, Austin Kearns watched from the dugout.  When Ryan Zimmerman laced a three-run double and rookie right-hander Beltran Perez worked his way out of trouble …

Nationals' train derailed; no one injured  —  WASHINGTON - A chartered Amtrak train carrying the Washington Nationals derailed early Tuesday near Wilmington, Del., but no one was injured.  —  "It was a very minor derailment,'' Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said. "  The rear wheels of the locomotive went off the track.''

EX-RAYVISION  —  CRAWFORD'S AVAILABLE IF METS ARE  —  DARE DEVILS  —  WOULD the Mets dare return to the scene of the crime?  Would they consider trading another high-end young starter such as Phil Humber or Mike Pelfrey to the Devil Rays and risk a sequel to the Scott Kazmir blunder?

Cubs' Rusch: `I was scared'  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Glendon Rusch was short of breath and when he hopped on the treadmill to do some running, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.  —  Dr. Stephen Adams wasted little time sending him to the emergency room of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Dejan Kovacevic Chat Transcript  —  shouldBworking: I have been unable to get a definitive read on the team's longterm plans for Freddy.  Do you think they will attempt to sign him longterm this off-season or make him perform again next year?  —  Dejan Kovacevic: Before we start, an apology for missing the past two chats.

Notes: Webb's success no surprise  —  All business for Batista; Estrada feeling left out of catching mix  —  SAN FRANCISCO — When he first saw Brandon Webb pitch in 2003, then-Diamondbacks center fielder Steve Finley knew the right-hander had a chance to be special.

Randolph Says Martínez May Not Start Game 1  —  On a night when Tom Glavine started the Mets' final home game of the regular season and Carlos Beltrán played for the first time in a week, Pedro Martínez was the focus of attention.  —  Last week, the Mets said that Martínez …

Greene's finger problem may be behind him  —  ST. LOUIS - Khalil Greene's finger has taken a turn for the better.  —  Unexpectedly, Greene was able to cut loose without any problems yesterday in a 15-swing soft-toss session.  —  Greene faces a more strenuous session today …

Hammel battles Schilling in opener  —  Tampa Bay (60-96) at Boston (83-74), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  The Rays were embarrassed in their last home game on Monday and are just 2-28 in the second half away from Tropicana Field, so Tampa Bay needs to dig deep in its next two games at Boston if it wants to finish the season on a good note.