Marlins expect Johnson reversal  —  SAN DIEGO — Josh Johnson has yet to pitch into the fifth inning since returning three starts and a rehab assignment ago from eight months of inactivity.  —  But the Marlins see progress in their right-hander.  —  Johnson's fastball was livelier and his mechanics more sound in his last outing.

Pirates Notebook: Burnett to see elbow specialist  —  Sean Burnett's career could be in jeopardy again.  —  Citing continuing pain in his surgically repaired left elbow, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2000 pulled himself out of Class AAA Indianapolis' game last night in Louisville, Ky., after pitching one inning.

Red Sox to Enter Japanese Player Development Agreement  —  Written by The Staff  —  The Boston Red Sox will hold a press conference, Weds. at 11:00 a.m. ET to announce that the club has entered into a strategic alliance with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball in the areas …

Former Ranger could yank deal away  —  Coming to you today from a dark, dark room.  The blinds are closed.  The security system is on.  I've got my perimeters under surveillance.  I'm in a conspiracy theory frame of mind.  —  A completely hypothetical thought crossed my mind and now I'm obsessed with it.

Another One and Done For Nationals' Offense  —  Lenny Harris wasn't supposed to be in this position, standing on the top step of the dugout at RFK Stadium, peering out at a collection of hitters who, right now, look like they couldn't define the phrase "three-run double."

Betemit gets back at Braves again  —  Los Angeles — Wilson Betemit hasn't lived up to expectations most nights with the Dodgers, but the ex-Braves infielder certainly steps it up against his former employers.  —  He hit a two-run homer and a two-run double in the first three innings …

Play it again // White Sox 5, O's 1  —  CABRERA WILD AGAIN  —  Daniel Cabrera didn't have his velocity or his command last night, and the result was a rocky six innings that saw the Orioles starter give up five earned runs on six hits, five walks and a hit batsman.

Glavine Loses His Touch as Mets Fall to Rockies  —  Over the years, Coors Field has eaten up and spit out its share of accomplished pitchers, but Tom Glavine has remained mostly immune from damage.  The key to his success is no secret.  Rarely does he give up home runs …

Blanton goes distance in win over Jays  —  Righty allows one run in complete game; Cust hits solo homer  —  OAKLAND — The last time Joe Blanton had started on a Fireworks Night, June 2 against the Twins, he threw a three-hitter that left the sellout crowd standing around waiting for night to fall.

McLaren's new job not starting well  —  Johjima injures hand in Royals' rout of Mariners  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The John McLaren era isn't off to a very good start.  —  In his first two days on the job, the Mariners manager has lost his first baseman and his catcher to fluke injuries …

A's may have a logjam at DH  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  A's designated hitter Jack Cust is hot again, jeopardizing the future of Mike Piazza, a potential Hall of Famer, in Oakland.  —  If Piazza's shoulder doesn't recover enough by the All-Star break for him to throw and return part-time to catcher …

Mitchell's pitch  —  Baseball's steroid prober promises to deliver fair, comprehensive report  —  CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine — The steroid investigation isn't just a steroid investigation, says former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, the chief investigator into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball.

Reds interested in Brenly?  —  WASHINGTON — According to reports out of Cincinnati, Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly is among the candidates the Reds are looking at to replace fired manager Jerry Narron.  —  Pete Mackanin, the interim manager, is considered to be a seat-holder for the next manager …

Guillen tiring of 'unreliable' Podsednik  —  After Scott Podsednik's latest injury, it's pretty much a given that the White Sox will have a new leadoff hitter entering the 2008 season.  —  "He's unreliable, there's no doubt," manager Ozzie Guillen said Tuesday after Podsednik's strained left rib cage caused …

Getting this guy fired up proves too tall of an order  —  I don't even know where to begin on this one.  I tried talking to The Big Stiff on Tuesday, knowing how desperate the Dodgers are for starting pitching, and the fact that Mark Hendrickson was going to be given the ball tonight against the Braves.

Blake's HR in 11th lifts Tribe by Tigers  —  DETROIT (AP) — Ivan Rodriguez just missed his storybook ending.  —  On the night he caught his 2,000th game, the Detroit Tigers All-Star almost hit a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning to beat the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

Dice-K, BoSox send Rays to ninth straight loss  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  BOSTON — Daisuke Matsuzaka got the run support he's been lacking — and from an unlikely source.  —  Julio Lugo went 2-for-3 with two RBI to break an -for-33 slump, and Matsuzaka pitched eight shutout innings …