Cabrera Designated For Assignment  —  Unable to find a place for him in their rotation or their bullpen, and unable to tolerate the idea of watching his continued struggles, the Washington Nationals on Tuesday designated Daniel Cabrera for assignment, cutting ties with the pitcher they signed in the offseason.

Authorities trumpet massive steroids bust in Polk  —  LAKELAND - Deputies said they have plenty of evidence that Richard Thomas and his wife, Sandra, were big-time steroid dealers.  At a Tuesday night news conference announcing their arrest, Polk County sheriff's officials were surrounded by thousands of doses of anabolic steroids.

Another defeat: Hurdle's last stand?  —  It was the type of moment that defines games, and, over time, frames a season.  It arrived in the fifth inning Tuesday night: Aaron Cook vs. Andre Ethier.  —  Ethier, setting the stage for Casey Blake, won with a walk.

X-rays negative on Braun's right wrist  —  Slugger leaves early on Tuesday, questionable for finale  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers were unsure of Ryan Braun's availability for Wednesday's series finale against St. Louis after the left fielder was struck on the right wrist by a pitch Tuesday night and left the game after four innings.

Relievers Help Yankees Lose a Shot at First Place  —  ARLINGTON, Tex. — The Yankees had a chance to claim first place in the American League East on Tuesday, a spot they have not held all season.  They got a poor start by Joba Chamberlain and lost center fielder Melky Cabrera to a right shoulder strain.

Hernandez Gives Ailing Mets a Shot in the Arm  —  The Mets are battered and bruised, their lineup fortified with backups, journeymen and, on Tuesday, the 20-year-old elite prospect Fernando Martinez in his major league debut.  —  Gone are two more regulars, Jose Reyes and Ryan Church …

Smoltz: ‘My radar screen has Boston on it’  —  MANCHESTER, N.H. - After John Smoltz threw 60 pitches in 3 1/3 innings tonight in his second minor league rehab start, he set a crude timetable for his Red Sox debut: Three more minor league rehab starts, then join the Sox rotation.

Pujols top vote-getter for National League  —  Brewers lead at two positions, sit second at every other  —  First in the National League Central, second in the National League voting booth?  —  Two Brewers are leading at their positions, according to the first weekly update on balloting for the 2009 All-Star Game.

Baltimore Orioles poised to call up prospect Matt Wieters on Friday  —  BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles are readying the welcome mat for their much-talked-about prized prospect.  —  Catcher Matt Wieters will be recalled by Baltimore on Friday and make his major league debut at home that night against the Detroit Tigers.

MLB Cuts Slots By 10 Percent  —  In a development first reported by Murray Chass, MLB commissioner Bud Selig said his office will reduce its recommendations for bonus slots by 10 percent.  Selig made the comments at an owners meeting last week in New York, and Baseball America has confirmed his plan with multiple sources.

Cards wary of bad news  —  MILWAUKEE — The Cardinals are preparing a search for a righthanded-hitting third baseman or outfielder given what they expect to be a pessimistic report about third baseman Troy Glaus.  —  General manager John Mozeliak admitted Tuesday that a “gut feeling” …

Astros short on infielders with two hurt  —  Houston (18-26) at Cincinnati (25-20), 6:10 p.m. CT  —  CINCINNATI — The last time Jason Smith was designated for assignment, he stayed put in Houston, instead of heading to Triple-A Round Rock.  Smith had been told there was a chance he might be needed again.

The Latin Talent Market  —  Back Bearing Fruit  —  I'm back from the Dominican and I come bearing gifts: full scouting reports, on-the-ground buzz, first-hand accounts of top prospects, and the videos to prove it.  I've got way more than I can fit in one article, but I'll try to cram as much as I can into this space.

Dodgers halt Schmidt's rehab assignment  —  Righty has shoulder irritation; Furcal sits out vs. Rockies  —  DENVER — Dodgers manager Joe Torre announced on Tuesday that the organization stopped Jason Schmidt's rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque because of right shoulder irritation.

Phillies announce rescheduled game date  —  The May 3 Phillies vs. New York Mets game, which was postponed due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled as part of a day-night separate admission doubleheader on Sunday, September 13 at 8:05 p.m.  —  Fans holding tickets for the May 3 …

Diamondbacks end Padres' 10-game winning streak  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out 10 and drove in two runs, Chris Young made a leaping catch at the fence for the final out and the Arizona Diamondbacks held off San Diego 6-5 on Tuesday night to snap the Padres' 10-game winning streak.

Ortiz dropped to sixth  —  The Red Sox have dropped David Ortiz to sixth in the batting order, with J.D. Drew moving up to the struggling Ortiz's familiar third spot.  —  When asked by my Globe colleague Amalie Benjamin if he was going to talk to the media before the game, Ortiz replied, “After I go deep tonight.”