Alvarez's elbow soreness not considered serious  —  Exit from game against Red Sox a precautionary measure for Blue Jays  —  BOSTON — Henderson Alvarez was forced to depart during the sixth inning of Monday night's 9-6 win in Boston because of soreness in his right elbow.

Kevin Youkilis a unique player who will be missed  —  I swear this is true.  —  Woke up Monday, and what was in my head?  “You - or is that Youk - got what I need.”  Yes, the walk-to-the-plate melody for Kevin Youkilis.  —  I think this means I'm going to miss him.  —  In fact, I'm sure I will.

Rangers call up top pitching prospect Perez  —  The Texas Rangers have promoted top pitching prospect Martin Perez, recalling the left-hander from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.  —  The Rangers signed Perez, 21, as a free agent out of Venezuela in 2007.  He entered this season …

Braun regains starting spot in NL All-Star voting  —  Brewers slugger holds slight edge over Giants' Cabrera in tight outfield race  —  It appears the National League's All-Star Game starting lineup could come down to a photo finish, particularly for an outfield spot that continues to change hands.

Rockies defeat Washington Nationals as Jeff Francis pitches well  —  Who's afraid of big, bad Coors Field?  —  Clearly not Washington Nationals whiz kid Stephen Strasburg.  The 23-year-old right-hander wasn't as dominant as usual, but he clearly wasn't intimidated by Coors Field's nasty reputation.

Mariners waste terrific start by Ramirez  —  SEATTLE—Erasmo Ramirez turned in a dominant performance Monday night.  Unfortunately for the Seattle Mariners, he remains in search of his first major league win.  —  Ramirez had a career-high 10 strikeouts over eight sparkling innings …

Sources: Greinke could be on the move  —  The Milwaukee Brewers say they have not yet made a decision on whether to trade right-hander Zack Greinke or any other player.  —  But two rival executives said Tuesday that the Brewers are preparing to move Greinke if they are unable to sign …

Cash could be key to Mets finding bullpen help  —  Mets on Twitter  —  CHICAGO — Of course the Mets are looking outside their organization in an effort to improve their ineffective, injured bullpen.  —  “Our numbers are what they are,” John Ricco, the Mets' vice president and assistant general manager …

Expect the Mariners to announce signing of No. 1 draft pick Mike Zunino shortly  —  There has been some discussion about what the Mariners spent in signing some of their top-10 draft picks in recent weeks and how that would carry over to the inking of No. 1 draft pick (third overall) Mike Zunino of the University of Florida.

Tribe options Gomez; Barnes joins 'pen  —  NEW YORK — The Indians reached a point where a change was needed in their rotation.  With first place in the American League Central on the line, Cleveland could ill afford to carry on with the prolonged struggles of right-hander Jeanmar Gomez.

Marlins Blow Late Lead, Lose to Cardinals in 10  —  MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins have had a number of losses in June, 17 to be exact.  The latest one might be the toughest.  —  The Marlins led 6-1 in the eighth inning before Heath Bell coughed up four runs in the ninth to the St. Louis Cardinals …

Carpenter calls missed workout a ‘setback’  —  MIAMI  • Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter explained that he woke up Sunday morning and felt a renewed sense of weakness in his right shoulder and that it persisted as he attempted to play catch later that day.