Johnny Pesky dies at age 92  —  Johnny Pesky, who spent 61 of his 73 years in baseball as a member of the Red Sox organization and was perhaps the greatest good-will ambassador in team history, died Monday of natural causes.  He would have turned 93 next month.

Gonzalez, Machado share AL Player of Week honors  —  At the start of last week, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado hadn't even played in a Major League game.  By the end of it, however, he had not only made his debut, but Machado had made a big enough splash in his first four games …

Hairston not expected to land on DL  —  MIAMI — The left hip injury that knocked Jerry Hairston out of Saturday night's Dodgers game with the Marlins is not expected to land him on the disabled list, manager Don Mattingly said on Sunday.  —  “Sue [Falsone, our trainer], thinks it will be a day, but we'll see,” Mattingly said.

Amazin's need to start looking toward the future  —  Mets on Twitter  —  The Mets have yet to place Scott Hairston on waivers this month, according to an industry source, which makes sense.  It figures that the Mets want to reap the benefits of Hairston for a while longer before putting …

Yankees sign RHP Derek Lowe  —  The New York Yankees today announced they have signed right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe to a Major League contract and selected him to the 25-man active roster.  Lowe is scheduled to join the team tonight and is expected to pitch out of the bullpen.

Q&A: Doug Fister, Cat-and-Mouse Simplicity  —  Doug Fister believes in keeping things simple.  The Detroit Tigers right-hander isn't big on statistics, nor does he rely much on scouting reports.  What he does do is play cat-and-mouse with opposing hitters: He changes speeds and pounds the bottom of the strike zone.

BERKMAN FACING DIFFICULT DECISION ABOUT HIS FUTURE  —  • Cardinals Insider > Joe Strauss  PHILADELPHIA  • His family's Houston residence boasts spurs on a rustic den wall, a signed Major Applewhite Longhorn helmet in a display case and a map of Stephen Austin's Texas hanging within …

Capuano takes no-hit bid into seventh, Dodgers beat Marlins  —  MIAMI — Chris Capuano held Miami hitless until the seventh inning and Hanley Ramirez drove in three runs against his former team, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Marlins 5-0 Sunday.  —  Capuano (11-8) shut …

Red Sox Minor League Roundup: Andrew Bailey is ready; Mark Prior struggles  —  Andrew Bailey is expected to be activated for Tuesday's game in Baltimore (AP)  —  The Red Sox bullpen looks like it soon will feature a long-anticipated reinforcement . . .  TRIPLE-A PAWTUCKET RED SOX: 9-3 LOSS AT BUFFALO (METS)

Villarreal to undergo exam for elbow weakness  —  ARLINGTON — Brayan Villarreal went to the mound Sunday for the second time in less than 24 hours in an effort to put Saturday night's loss out of his memory.  Turns out he has bigger worries on his mind, the way his elbow is feeling.

Astros Get Hope and Youth From New Owner and New Approach  —  HOUSTON — The Mules of Central Missouri State won one game at the 1974 N.C.A.A. Division II College World Series.  A tall, right-handed sophomore with a fastball, a curveball and a knuckle-change fired a 2-0 shutout against Ohio Northern …