Papi returns to lineup … BOSTON (AP) — David Ortiz is back in the Red Sox lineup.  —  The Red Sox slugger was the designated hitter, batting third for Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after taking the weekend off to clear his head and try to snap out of his slump.

Wang feels good after 50 pitches  —  Chien-Ming Wang threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session at the Stadium before the Yankees faced the Orioles and said he received a thumbs up from pitching coach Dave Eiland for the manner in which his sinker was biting.  —  “I feel good — everything is down,” Wang said.

Eric Chavez of Oakland Athletics has herniated disk; next back injury could end career  —  Eric Chavez has a herniated disk in his back and the next time the Oakland Athletics third baseman throws it out, his career is likely over, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Finally, Helton raps 2,000th hit in Rockies' defeat … ATLANTA (AP) — Todd Helton's 2,000th hit was indisputable.  —  Helton lined a clean single to left-center field for the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, reaching the milestone one night after being denied on a contested ruling by the official scorer.

Noah Lowry's agent: San Francisco Giants misdiagnosed arm injury  —  As San Francisco Giants pitcher Noah Lowry prepared to undergo surgery for a circulatory problem Tuesday, his agent charged the team's medical staff with misdiagnosing a forearm injury 14 months ago, subjecting Lowry …

Phils move struggling Park to 'pen; Happ to start … CINCINNATI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies are moving Chan Ho Park to their bullpen in an attempt to shake up their struggling rotation.  —  Park is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in seven starts and one relief appearance this season.

Game 35: Pre-Game Notes (Garcia Starting Tomorrow, Hovis To Tampa)  —  RYAN POPE: “I don't know, I just do what they tell me.  I wish I could tell you, but I have no idea what the heck is going on.  The arm's fine, I'm healthy as can be.”  —  “Nothing changes during the week, you still prepare like you're going to pitch.

Mets Dumbfounded by Their Mistakes  —  LOS ANGELES — His shoulders slumped, his eyes heavy, his goatee likely grayer than it was just four hours earlier, Jerry Manuel emerged from the Mets' clubhouse late Monday night and spotted a massage table.  —  “I need to lie down,” Manuel said.  —  No wonder.

A-ROD BATTERS UP WITH KATE HUDSON  —  YANKEES slugger Alex Rodriguez seems to have traded in a vintage Madonna for a late-model Kate Hudson.  —  The blond, Los Angeles-born actress — who met A-Rod at the reopening of the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach last November …

Despite Detwiler, Down to Defeat  —  Solid Start Done In By Defense, Bullpen : Pirates 12, Nationals 7  —  Six professional pitchers performed for the Washington Nationals last night.  One had been promoted from Class AA Harrisburg earlier in the day, for the purposes of a cameo start.

Rob Dibble Has Had Enough  —  Chatting today at 11.  Looking for suggestions on how to spend the next three months.  Submit questions here.  —  For whatever you want to say about the Nats, Rob Dibble at least keeps me glued to MASN.  I managed to delete most of my transcript from last night …

Another early-inning debacle allows White Sox to stop Twins  —  Scott Baker's 44-pitch second inning sent the team to a fifth loss in a row.  —  CHICAGO - Pitching coach Rick Anderson looked like he was speaking for Twins fans everywhere Tuesday night, when the camera showed him berating Scott Baker …

Some mid-day thoughts and an unexpected Stadium critique ...  I'm getting ready to head into the city shortly for a TV thing before going over to the Stadium, but here are a few thoughts before we get the game post up and running:  —  1. CC Sabathia, who starts tonight, wears baggy pants.

Hamels stays unbeaten vs. Reds as Phillies win fifth in a row  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Philadelphia's Ryan Howard hit a solo homer, and left-hander Cole Hamels stayed unbeaten against the Cincinnati Reds with a 4-3 victory Tuesday night, the Phillies' fifth in a row.

Dustin Moseley shut down because of arm/neck problems  —  SEATTLE — Pitcher Dustin Moseley, on the disabled list since April 18 because of tightness in his right forearm, has returned to Southern California to undergo medical tests on his arm and neck.  —  The right-hander …

TORRE'S DODGERS MAY PLAY YANKEES IN '10  —  Joe Torre appears headed toward a Bronx homecoming in 2010.  —  Though next season's schedule won't be official for several weeks, an industry source told The Post yesterday that the Dodgers are preliminarily slated for a three-game …

Game 39: Orioles at Yankees  —  YANKEES (21-17)  —  Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (3-3, 3.70 ERA)  —  Orioles (16-22)  —  Pitching: RHP Brad Bergesen (1-1, 5.27)  —  CREEPING UP: The Yankees have won six in a row and are only one game behind the Red Sox for second place in the AL East.

Rangers' Hamilton misses start with sore groin … DETROIT (AP) — All-Star center fielder Josh Hamilton, who left Texas' last game with a sore right groin muscle, wasn't in the starting lineup Tuesday for the opener of the Rangers' road series at Detroit.  —  Hamilton, who led the AL in RBIs …

Checking In On Harper  —  We hope you are enjoying our 2009 draft coverage so far.  There is a ton of information that is being rolled out this week so try to keep up.  For just a moment, I'm going to steer away from 2009 and look ahead to 2011.  If you haven't heard of Bryce Harper …