Firing Bobby Valentine won't fix the Red Sox  —  Let's say the Red Sox had decided last winter that they just weren't ready for Bobby Valentine as manager and hired Gene Lamont instead.  —  Do you really think they would be 10 games over .500 instead of one game under?  —  Because that's who the alternative was.

Yankees shut down Manny Banuelos  —  The New York Yankees' top pitching prospect, Manny Banuelos, will not pitch again this year after throwing in six games all season, the team's vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman told ESPN New York on Monday.  —  “He's not going to be back this season,” Newman said.

Yankees Pettitte, A-Rod slowly healing  —  The brittle Yankees are still a long way from being whole, but they are getting closer.  —  Both Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez received positive news after recent X-rays.  Mariano Rivera, though, remains out for the year.

Rockies' Todd Helton out for season, bound for surgery on hip  —  Todd Helton's season is over.  —  The Rockies' veteran first baseman will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.  The surgery, to be performed Friday, marks the end of Helton's 15th full season in the major leagues.

Brewers call up Segura to replace Izturis  —  Speedy shortstop came over from Angels in Greinke deal  —  With the Nationals claiming Cesar Izturis off waivers, the Brewers have called up shortstop Jean Segura from Double-A Huntsville to take his spot on the 25-man roster.

10 Degrees: Evan Longoria's contract tops list of most team-friendly deals in MLB  —  Evan Longoria should rejoin the Tampa Bay Rays this week, maybe as early as Tuesday, and immediately regain his status as the most valuable player in baseball.  This is not the same as the best player nor …

Dodgers designate Gwynn, recall Sands  —  LOS ANGELES — Tony Gwynn was designated for assignment on Monday after the Dodgers recalled the hot-hitting Jerry Sands from Triple-A Albuquerque.  —  With the addition of Shane Victorino and the returns of a healthy Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier …

Red Sox turn their backs on history  —  100-year-old silver trophy presented to Boston manager Jake Stahl after the 1912 World Series sold for $239,000 on Thursday  —  BALTIMORE — The New Jersey memorabilia collector who sold the trophy commemorating the Boston Red Sox's 1912 World Series victory …

Shoulder tightness puts Griffin on 15-day DL  —  OAKLAND — A day after he was forced to leave his start in the second inning with right shoulder tightness, right-hander A.J. Griffin was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the A's on Sunday.  —  The good news for Griffin …

Cubs deal Baker for two players to be named  —  LOS ANGELES — The Cubs continued to deal veteran players, sending utility man Jeff Baker to the Tigers on Sunday for two players to be named.  —  The ability to move Baker helped the Cubs decide to promote top prospect Josh Vitters.

Chipper says he won't reconsider retirement  —  He leads the Braves in batting average (.317), on-base percentage (.394) and slugging percentage (.513), and in his past 30 games he's hit .368 with 13 doubles, five homers and 22 RBIs.  —  So, Chipper Jones, are you having any second thoughts …