For Nats, Long Shots Hitting Spots  —  Pictures of Mike O'Connor and Shawn Hill should be posted on the walls of every minor league clubhouse.  They symbolize hope.  If they can make it to the Nats' rotation, emerging as saviors of a decimated staff, then who is beyond career redemption?

Enough is enough  —  D'backs designate struggling Ortiz for assignment  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks decided Tuesday they would rather eat the remaining $22 million of Russ Ortiz' contract than keep him on their roster.  —  The club designated the struggling right-hander for assignment …

Fantasy Focus  —  One Weaver Too Many, and Scoresheet Mayhem  —  Jered Weaver might get demoted following Tuesday night's start against the Royals, despite his superb outings for the Angels so far, and that after dominating at Triple-A Salt Lake.  However, Bartolo Colon is due back from the DL …

Bartlett's back; Batista's out  —  The Twins gave their roster a jolt late Tuesday night, designating third baseman Tony Batista for assignment and promoting Jason Bartlett from Class AAA Rochester.  —  Bartlett will join the team tonight and replace Juan Castro as the team's starting shortstop.

Dodgers-Padres Preview  —  Aaron Sele looks to continue his impressive pitching and lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to consecutive wins for the first time this month Tuesday when he takes the mound in the opener of a three-game series with the San Diego Padres .

Gagne supplants Kent on disabled list  —  Closer's return date uncertain; second baseman hits lineup  —  SAN DIEGO — Eric Gagne replaced Jeff Kent on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.  —  Kent recovered in 15 days from a bruised hand and was back in the lineup on Tuesday night …

Judge issues warrant for Tigers' Young  —  Judge issues warrant for Tigers' Young  —  BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) — An arrest warrant for Dmitri Young was issued Tuesday after the Detroit Tigers designated hitter failed to appear for a pretrial hearing on a domestic violence charge.

Patterson Will Get One More Rehab Start  —  Washington Nationals right-hander John Patterson, who hasn't pitched in the majors since April 21, will make one more rehabilitation start in the minors on Saturday for Class A Potomac, further delaying a return that has been put off time and again.

Tavarez gives up slam to Twins in 12th  —  Schilling holds Minnesota to one run in eight innings  —  MINNEAPOILS — Curt Schilling threw one of his best games of the season, but he wasn't in contention for the win when he exited in the eighth on Tuesday.  —  And four innings later, the Red Sox weren't on the winning side, either.

Tigers against teams above .500  —  Of course, the Tigers aren't alone in beating up on the bad teams.  That's mainly how flags are won since, by definition, it's awfully hard to beat up on the good teams.  But the Tigers are just more egregious about it this year than other teams.

Mailbag: Mets achieving greatness?  —  Beat writer Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  I heard you interviewed on the radio two weeks ago and you didn't seem convinced the Mets were a great team.  Now that they have put together a 6-1 road trip against the best teams in the National League West, have you changed your tune?

Notes: Struggling staff's solution unclear  —  Saito assumes closer role; Minors could hold rotation's help  —  SAN DIEGO — General manager Ned Colletti said on Tuesday that he did not expect to immediately address the bullpen or starting rotation with a trade.

Power Rankings: Mets showing they have answers for everything  —  How well are things going for the Mets?  Right now even bad news opens doors for more good.  —  The back end of the rotation struggles and hits the DL en masse.  Enter Cubans Orlando Hernandez and Alay Soler, who worked a pair of complete games on the road last week.

Dunn: Keep Griffey in center field  —  CINCINNATI — In the latest "Move Ken Griffey Jr." opinion, former Cincinnati Reds superstar Eric Davis, perhaps the greatest center fielder ever to wear a Reds uniform, weighed in.  —  He said while Griffey may still cover center field adequately …