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.

Next contract should be lucrative for Lohse  —  ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse maintains that he's not thinking much beyond 2012, a season in which he believes he can help lead the Cardinals back to the postseason.  If he did, however, Lohse would certainly find himself to be among the most attractive free-agent pitchers.

Cubs' Garza out indefinitely with stress reaction  —  Cubs starter Matt Garza is out indefinitely with stress reaction in the back of his elbow, but no decision has been yet about the rest of his season.  —  Obviously the season has 55 games remaining, so it would seem as though the Cubs …

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.

Sheets solid as streaking Braves bump Phillies  —  Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Ben Sheets improves to 4-1 as Braves coast past Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — Ben Sheets pitched …

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.

Verlander ties career high with 14 Ks, Tigers down Yankees  —  DETROIT — Justin Verlander matched a career high with 14 strikeouts and got home-run support from Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, leading the Detroit Tigers over the New York Yankees 7-2 Monday night.

Tillman leads Orioles past Mariners 3-1  —  BALTIMORE—Chris Tillman took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning to extend a run of successful starts by Baltimore pitchers, and the Orioles beat Jason Vargas and the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday night.  —  Nick Markakis homered …

Victorino wants to stay with Dodgers next year  —  LOS ANGELES — Shane Victorino has been in Los Angeles for only four games, but he's already hoping for a long future in Dodger blue.  —  Victorino has informed his agents that he would like to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the outfielder told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

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 …

Tim Byrdak has anterior capsule tear in shoulder  —  Tim Byrdak has a tear in the anterior capsule of his left shoulder, the team announced.  —  The team said a treatment plan for Byrdak has not been finalized, but surgery remains a possibility.  —  Byrdak has the same injury …