Andruw: Braves need another starting pitcher  —  San Diego — His teammates say they're confident that sore-shouldered ace John Smoltz will be healthy after the All-Star break, but some hope the front office is successful in pursuit of another quality starter through a trade.

Milledge could start in left after break  —  HOUSTON — Lastings Milledge could be the Mets' leftfielder when the team returns from the All-Star break Thursday.  —  Milledge went 3-for-5 yesterday after going 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs Saturday night for Double-A Binghamton …

Yankees Pin Their Hopes on Pitching and Patience  —  Tony Franklin has wandered the minor leagues for 38 years, watching teammates advance to the majors and teaching prospects to do the same.  He is a wise 57 years old, and these days, he carries himself with a carefree air not often seen in a manager.

Futures spoils belong to the World  —  Speed, timely hitting carry World Team over U.S. prospects  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Get 'em on, and get 'em in.  —  It's an age-old formula for baseball success, and it's a formula the World Team used with great precision on Sunday in a 7-2 victory …

Santana gets another rough road reception  —  Right-hander doesn't make it past three innings, giving up nine runs, including two home runs.  —  NEW YORK — Peter Angelos caught a lot of flak last July for his last-minute nixing of a trade that would have sent Baltimore slugger Miguel Tejada …

Phils lend hand with tarp, top Rockies  —  Players, coaches brave elements to help grounds crew  —  DENVER — Seeing a member of the Coors Field grounds crew flung 10 feet in the air, then swallowed by a tarp was enough for the Phillies.  —  With rain and fierce winds making personal safety …

MLB punishes ESPN for embargo violation  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — ESPN won't be able to allowed to broadcast its "Baseball Tonight" show live from the All-Star game in San Francisco on Tuesday night.  —  Major League Baseball limited ESPN's access this week after the cable network broke …

Hicks owns up, remains confident  —  Tom Hicks didn't want to trade Chris Young; needed "several weeks" to be talked into firing Buck Showalter; thinks the Stars "kinda quit" in the playoffs two years ago; still doesn't regret letting Kenny Rogers go; and believes "realistically, it's '09" when it comes to the Rangers' chances.

Florida Marlins head to All-Star break on sour note; Miguel Cabrera, Scott Olsen ailing  —  LOS ANGELES — Manager Fredi Gonzalez already knew he would be without slugger Miguel Cabrera on Sunday.  —  He wasn't counting on losing his starting pitcher as well.

Stroke of genius  —  23 years after his death, Lau's swing lives on  —  The swing has a signature.  —  It's head down all the way through contact, because you can't hit what you can't see, he would say.  It's a weight shift from the back leg to the front, because you need to get leverage.

Notes: Teixeira ready to return  —  First baseman will start Friday in Anaheim against Angels  —  ARLINGTON — First baseman Mark Teixeira went through a strenuous running test before Sunday's game with the Baltimore and said he is "100 percent."  —  Teixeira, on the disabled list …

Notes: Bailey optioned to Triple-A  —  Rookie sent down to continue pitching during break  —  CINCINNATI — Hours after Homer Bailey gave up one earned run on only two hits in five innings against the D-backs on Saturday night, the Reds optioned the rookie right-hander to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday morning.

Rangers hit break with a blast  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - They have lost half their starting infield to injuries in the last month.  Their lone All-Star hasn't had an extra-base hit in more than three weeks.  They've scored four or fewer runs, usually a sure omen of defeat, nine times in the last two weeks.

Buehrle to get $56 million over four years  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 19 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Mark Buehrle and the White Sox have agreed to a new contract.  —  The pitcher's deal is worth $56 million over four years.  It does not include a full no-trade clause …