REYES HURT AS MANUEL LOSES DEBUT  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jerry Manuel's debut started ominously last night and got worse from there.  —  Manuel and the Mets lost Jose Reyes to a tight left hamstring just four pitches into the game, then watched ace Johan Santana look mortal in a 6-1 interleague loss to the Angels.

M's meet to discuss Sexson's future  —  A source within the organization says team is planning to release the first baseman soon.  —  SEATTLE — Struggling first baseman Richie Sexson's time with the Seattle Mariners could end soon.  —  One day after general manager Bill Bavasi was fired …

Mariners' pick for GM will reveal path  —  This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready ...  Howard Lincoln's eyes were flashing fire on Monday.  —  This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready — indeed, aching — to try a new way.

Sox matinee today  —  Today is a day to soak in the Celtics win, but the Red Sox have some unfinished business in Philadelphia this afternoon as they try to take the rubber game of a three-game set with the Phillies.  —  The Sox will send rookie Justin Masterson (3-1, 2.90 ERA) to the mound in 1:05 p.m. start.

Chatting with Sandy Alderson (Part 3)  —  This is the third of a three-part interview (Part 1 is here; Part 2 is here) with San Diego Padres CEO Sandy Alderson.  Big thanks to Mr. Alderson for taking time out of his busy schedule to make himself available, and also to his assistant …

Cubs call Murton back up, but only as trade bait?  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Cubs recalled Matt Murton from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and sent Eric Patterson back down, though they may just be showcasing Murton for a possible deal.  —  “We hated to send Patterson out, we really did,” manager Lou Piniella said.

Reuniting Zito with old coach makes sense  —  (06-17) 20:09 PDT — Rick Peterson was Barry Zito's pitching coach through the pitcher's best years in Oakland.  Now that Peterson is unemployed, would it not make sense for the Giants to hire him as a special instructor to work with Zito and help right him?

Just why is Ichiro back in right field?  —  Just while we have a moment here this morning, I'd like to ask the following question:  —  What in the world is Ichiro Suzuki doing playing right field again?  —  When Jeremy Reed was injured midway through 2006, the club experimented with all sorts …

Woods set to have season-ending knee surgery  —  Tiger Woods has decided to have surgery on his left knee, which will end his 2008 season.  —  Woods said on his Web site that he will have surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.  He also wrote that he needs time to rehabilitate …

Is MLB's Diversity Keeping Advertisers Away?  —  When The Biz of Baseball ran its roundtable compilation entitled, State of Major League Baseball - 2008, we got 30 responses from a broad range of people that cover the sport.  None of the panelists consulted one another, yet topics intersected.

Game 72: Padres at Yankees  —  YANKEES (38-33)  —  Darrell Rasner (3-4, 3.64) has never faced any of the Padres.  —  Jake Peavy (5-3, 2.64) vs. the New York hitters.  —  Notes: The Yankees have won five straight and 8 of 10. ...  Yankee pitchers have thrown 20 consecutive scoreless innings. ...

Carpenter gets upbeat news  —  Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter returned from his trip to Alabama for a second opinion on his right elbow with reassuring news that he shouldn't hesitate to restart his rehab.  —  “All of my tests were fine; my ligament and my reconstruction looks good,” …

Wilpons to receive chickens?  —  PHILADELPHIA - Just received a press release:  —  Mets Fans Cry Fowl.  Chickens to be sent to Mets Owner Fred Wilpon Today at 2:15pm.  —  Syosset, NY - Randy Smith, a lifelong Mets Fan and an employee of Georgi Vodka is joining a few other fans today …