What are the ESPN Player Ratings? … At the start of 2006, I was challenged to come up with a formula that ranks all major league players.  After bouncing ideas off the Elias Sports Bureau, MIT and others over the last year, I eventually wrote the formulas that produced the ESPN Player Ratings.

Sources: Nats trying to trade for Dukes  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Nationals are pursuing a trade for troubled Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.  —  No deal is imminent, and other clubs remain interested in Dukes, one source says.

Second-guessing may be the order of the day today  —  PHOENIX, Ariz. — The managerial wheels were turning yesterday.  —  And when it was all over and the Red Sox had suffered a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, Boston manager Terry Francona had a few decisions to rehash.

Notes: Clark exits as Loney gets call  —  Outfielder likely to opt out of contract if he clears waivers  —  LOS ANGELES — Outfielder Brady Clark was designated for assignment on Sunday, and infielder James Loney was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.  —  Clark, who was hitting .224 …

A proven shyness of big splashes  —  Jim from Highlands Ranch: Will Rox ever again splurge? … Troy - I know it's still a ways away, but give me one realistic free-agent possibility, if there even is one.  Thanks a lot.  — Jim L., Highlands Ranch  —  Jim - The Rockies …

Courier-Journal reporter ejected from U of L game  —  Bennett removed for blogging super-regional  —  A Courier-Journal sports reporter had his media credential revoked and was ordered to leave the press box during the NCAA baseball super-regional yesterday because of what the NCAA alleged …

M's Notebook |  Batista snaps up victory  —  SAN DIEGO — Felix Hernandez could only laugh in wonderment.  —  "He threw seven innings on Friday and got no decision.  He threw one inning today, he won the game."  —  Hernandez was referring to teammate Miguel Batista …

Remember Jeff Samardzija?  He's 0-The Season  —  Remember Jeff Samardzija?  Last time you heard from him he was being glorified on national TV along with his pals Brady Quinn and Charlie Weis.  And no longer being buoyed by NBC's self-interested promotion of the Irish, his luck seems to have dried up, at least for now.

Up next for Clemens?  Meet the Mets  —  DETROIT — Roger Clemens will make his second 2007 start Friday against the Mets at Yankee Stadium, Yankees manager Joe Torre said yesterday.  —  Mets manager Willie Randolph said the Mets will be ready.  —  "He looks the same to me," …

Mets ask El Duque to right the ship  —  New York (36-25) at Los Angeles (35-28), Monday, 10:10 p.m. ET  —  Orlando Hernandez has typically been known as a pitcher who can eat up innings and advance late into games.  This season doesn't appear to be any different for Hernandez, even at 37 years old.

Auction house withdraws $1M Bonds ball bounty  —  Heritage offered $1 million prize for Bonds' HR ball  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The prospect of a melee in the stands prompted a prominent auction house on Monday to withdraw a $1 million bounty on Barry Bonds' career-record homer baseball.

Sopranos: You Don't Hear it When it Happens  —  On Sunday, at MetsBlog, I referenced my love for HBO's The Sopranos, which ended its six-season run last night.  Since late last night, I have received several e-mails asking me to post a review of last night's series finale.

Twins' offense cries out for another bat  —  As the Twins consider trade options to bolster their inconsistent lineup, their focus appears to be adding a designated hitter or third baseman.  —  As the Twins consider trade options to bolster their inconsistent lineup, their focus appears …

Rogers solid in Triple-A rehab start  —  Rehabbing left-hander working toward return to Tigers  —  TOLEDO, Ohio — One day after a more famous Roger finalized his comeback — maybe you've heard of him, a certain Mr. Clemens of the Yankees — the Tigers' own version of Mr. Rogers took another step in his return.

Rallying Rangers unravel in 12th  —  twills@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - For all these two-out, ninth-inning rallies, the Rangers remain what they are - the team with the fewest wins in baseball.  —  A night after a two-out rally in the ninth inning gave them their most dramatic victory of the season …

Braves earn testy 5-4 win over Cubs  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Bobby Cox insists he has no animosity toward the Chicago Cubs.  Lou Piniella said he feels the same way about the Atlanta Braves.  —  The reality, however, is that each manager oversees a pitching staff that keeps hitting batters on the other team.