Nolasco sent down to Triple-A  —  Starter optioned to Minors after another rough start  —  MIAMI — A year ago, Ricky Nolasco established himself as one of the top right-handed starters in the National League.  —  Now, the 26-year-old is struggling to regain his lost form.

Trade winds blow early  —  While others start to kick things around just two months into the season, don't expect the Blue Jays to get involved  —  The New York Mets are trying to trade for a full-time first baseman to replace Carlos Delgado, and the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to replace Rickie Weeks.

PHILLIES/YANKEES GAMES THIS WEEKEND CRITICAL TO HOME RUN THEORY  —  AccuWeather.com has done extensive research into whether the weather is playing a role in the number of home runs at the new Yankee Stadium.  We have determined that this weekend's games with the Phillies will help determine …

In MacPhail's mind, O's on track  —  Despite some bumps in the road, club president is pleased with the organization's progress and is steadfastly sticking to his rebuilding plan  —  The Orioles' rebuilding program marches slowly on, and there is only one thing that is absolutely certain …

Cuddyer rides out cycle against Crew  —  Outfielder finishes off night full of firsts with historic feat  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer has always been known for his hustle — whether that means sliding hard to break up a double play or using every bit of speed he has to stretch a single into a double.

Tampa Bay Rays place Scott Kazmir, Troy Percival on DL  —  UPDATE: The Rays are not putting a timetable on Kazmir's return, though it certainly sounds as if his absence will stretch beyond the initial 15-day DL period.  He said it has been bothering him since his start in Boston May 9.

Hurdle enjoying trip back home  —  Colorado (16-25) at Detroit (24-16), 5:05 p.m. MT  —  DETROIT — Even after a late-night flight from Atlanta to Detroit on Thursday, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was up early Friday morning.  —  Hurdle, a Michigan native, had to go out to see the sights in, yes, Detroit.

Cito rules the roost  —  He understands this second chance is a gift, Stephen Brunt says  —  T  —  here is irony aplenty here.  —  Then, especially at the bitter end, he was Cito Gaston, a passive, do-nothing, fill-out-the-lineup-card-and-hope-for- the-best manager who somehow, inexplicably, had won two World Series.

Almonte gets ‘old’ fast  —  Just like eight years ago, Danny Almonte's age is an issue again.  —  Only this time, Almonte is not accused of being a ringer like he was found to be on the Rolando Paulino All-Star team from the Bronx that played in the championship game of the 2001 Little League World Series.

Pelfrey doesn't balk at solving case of yips  —  BOSTON - Mike Pelfrey believes his yips, which resulted in a franchise-record-tying three balks his last start in San Francisco, will be gone when he opposes Josh Beckett Saturday.  Pelfrey said active and former players who had similar problems reached out to him this week.

Wang in bullpen; Bruney unavailable  —  Chien-Ming Wang, scheduled to start tonight in Pawtucket for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, instead was activated this afternoon and will be available to pitch out of the bullpen against the Phillies.  —  Jonathan Albaladejo was sent down to make room on the roster.

Dodgers' callup to the rescue, like dad  —  LOS ANGELES — Jamie Hoffman, called up Friday to replace the injured Xavier Paul, is the son of Rich Hoffman, sheriff of Brown County, Minn., who has been in the news lately a lot more than his son.  —  The elder Hoffman has been on the lookout …

Struggling Snider earns a ticket to triple-A  —  BOSTON — The Travis Snider experiment is over for now.  —  The 21-year-old power-hitting left fielder, who slugged his way on to the Blue Jays in spring training and opened the regular season with a rush, last night was packing his bags and headed to triple-A Las Vegas.