Red Sox ask MLB to sub Youkilis for Ortiz on ballot … The Boston Red Sox have asked Major League Baseball to substitute hot-hitting Kevin Youkilis for David Ortiz as the team's first base entrant on the All-Star ballot distributed to other players, a gesture meant to help Youkilis' chances to help make the American League squad.

Patterson Is Still Getting Up to Speed  —  When Washington Nationals right-hander John Patterson returns from the disabled list — and there is no set timetable for such an event — he might do so as a different pitcher.  Patterson, who threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards …

JON HEYMAN  —  In the race for baseball's most disappointing team, the Texas Rangers have to be right up there.  Their 23-41 record has shocked a lot of folks, including their owner, Tom Hicks, who is said by associates to be extremely disappointed.  —  In baseball circles there are already rumblings …

The Big Picture  —  Getting to the Truth  —  While performance enhancing drugs (or PEDs) have caused a great deal of controversy over the last ten seasons, they have also helped bridge the divide between owners and players—both sides have agreed that they want drugs out of the game.

Five and Fly: Something gained in the translation  —  I'm pretty sure Ichiro Suzuki is messing with us.  And if so, you have to love a guy with this kind of humor.  If not, well, we are after all just bumblebees on life's lilac petal.  Bumblebees with two legs.  And no wings.  And Starbucks gift cards.

Posada faces interesting offseason  —  NEW YORK - The fraying nerves of a generation of Yankee fans accustomed to nothing but success grow more sensitive with every potential roster change, the slow but inevitable alteration of the late-1990s championship face happening before their eyes.

Justin-credible!  No-hitter is Tigers' first since 1984  —  24-year-old makes history with 'ridiculous' stuff  —  No-hitters come out of nowhere.  They just build and build, like nothing else in baseball.  —  The way that Justin Verlander struck out the first two Milwaukee batters …

Alou not even close to return  —  LOS ANGELES - Don't expect Moises Alou too soon, Willie Randolph warned.  The left fielder remained in New York for further consultation with Mets doctors regarding his strained left quadriceps.  "He's not going to be playing anytime soon," Randolph said.

More Barrett drama as Cubs lose  —  Another dugout drama with his starting pitcher and another defensive letdown on a crucial play added up to another frustrating night for Michael Barrett.  —  After an animated argument with left-hander Rich Hill early in Tuesday night's interleague game against Seattle …

In search of the next Jack Cust (Part 1)  —  When Oakland DH Mike Piazza suffered a strained right shoulder while "sliding" (to put it nicely) into third base against the Red Sox on May 2, some figured the A's already-meager offense wouldn't recover.  Although Piazza had only managed a .718 OPS …

A's GM Beane gets seven-year extension  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Athletics general manager Billy Beane, the architect behind Oakland's four division titles since 2000, was rewarded with a seven-year contract extension Wednesday.  —  Team president Michael Crowley also received …

Crasnick: Starting 9 of needs for contenders  —  A power hitter.  A starting pitcher.  Bullpen help.  With the July 31 trading deadline slowly approaching, several contending teams need to fill major holes on their rosters.  Jerry Crasnick  —  • Rumor Central: Dunn on the block?

Cavaliers: Still No Excuses  —  You have seen the replay in slow motion.  Unless my eyes are lying to me, Bruce Bowen not only fouled LeBron James on the final play of the game.  He intentionally fouled him, which makes sense, with the Spurs up three and eager to give up two free throws to a poor free throw shooting team.

Japanese manager dissects Dice-K  —  Daisuke Matsuzaka dined Monday night with his former Seibu Lions manager, Osamu Higashio, and former teammate and current Colorado Rockies second baseman Kaz Matsui.  —  Before last night's 2-1 Red Sox [team stats] victory against the Rockies …