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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Wood sharp for 7 innings, Cubs beat sloppy Mets  —  CHICAGO (AP) Joe Mather changed uniform numbers and did a pretty good impression of the player that inspired him to wear No. 21.  —  With reinforcements on the way in Chicago, more positive changes might be coming for the Cubs.

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.

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 …

Mets turn to Bobby Parnell to close until Francisco returns  —  CHICAGO — The job is his again, the ninth inning once more falling under his jurisdiction.  Bobby Parnell has been named the Mets' closer pro tempore, the man sitting on the back end of the seesaw until their $12 million man …