Ankiel shelved for rest of year  —  Pitcher-turned-outfielder may be ready for Spring Training 2007  —  PITTSBURGH — The Cardinals confirmed on Wednesday that pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel has undergone left knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2006 season.

Mets cruise to seventh straight victory  —  Wright goes deep, Delgado drives in three in rout of Phils  —  PHILADELPHIA — Suspense, the intangible that makes pennant races compelling, memorable and delicious, appears to be leaking from the 2006 National League East even now.

Ortiz's money already had gone to waste … The Arizona Diamondbacks made a solid baseball decision Tuesday when they kicked Russ Ortiz to the curb — but contrary to what you'll read about this almost anywhere you look, they won't be "eating" $22 million of his salary (which appears …

Notes: The Weaver dilemma  —  Colon set to start this weekend; Erstad gets a rest  —  ANAHEIM — Another day has brought a bit more perspective to an issue that may prove as critical as any the Angels will make this season.  —  Jered Weaver has yet to be moved out of the rotation and to prove …

Timlin returns; Foulke put on DL  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Just as Mike Timlin and his rested shoulder rejoined the Red Sox bullpen, Keith Foulke assumed his own place on the disabled list yesterday, with an elbow issue that was labeled ``tendinitis.  Manager Terry Francona said after the game that an MRI confirmed the diagnosis.

Notes: Milledge likely headed to Minors  —  Outfielder expected to be sent down to make room for Nady  —  PHILADELPHIA — The days Lastings Milledge will spend in the big leagues in the immediate future appear numbered, though the number hasn't been determined.

Mets are running away with NL East  —  PHILADELPHIA — Ask an '86 Met what it's like to watch his 2006 descendants, and it's like examining a genealogy tree.  That's us, is what the retro Mets must be thinking, as this year's squad has taken a 7½ game lead in the East, ready to use the summer as calisthenics for the playoffs.

Oliver: Back in the game  —  I came out of retirement this spring because I still love baseball and I still have a strong desire to play.  It just happened to work out for me with the Mets during Spring Training and I was able to earn a spot on the pitching staff.  —  I had decided to retire on my own terms.

Gagne Is Put on DL, Feels 'Helpless'  —  SAN DIEGO — With pain still flaring from a nerve in his right elbow, closer Eric Gagne will visit a neurologist today for a consultation that could include additional tests and result in new treatments.  —  The Dodgers put Gagne on the disabled list Tuesday and activated infielder Jeff Kent.

Prime target  —  Prime target  —  Less than three months ago, Alfonso Soriano was one of the most vilified athletes in the United States.  He was a selfish, greedy prima donna who flatly refused to take the field for a spring training game in Florida, defying his manager and his team's front office …

Prior pitches 6 2-3 innings in strong rehab start  —  METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Prior had the most effective start of his four rehab outings in the minors, holding the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs to four hits and one unearned run in 6 2-3 innings.

Parc Jarry relives a taste of its major league past  —  MONTREAL (AP) -Andre Dawson, Steve Rogers and Warren Cromartie began their major league careers at a place where a tennis stadium now stands.  —  All that now remains of Parc Jarry, the original home of the defunct Montreal Expos, is the press box and grandstand.

Tribune May Be Knight-Ridder Redux: Sell Newspapers or Break Up  —  June 14 (Bloomberg) — Tribune Co., under pressure from investors to revive newspaper and television profits, may find itself on the same course that led Knight Ridder Inc. into the arms of a suitor.

Tier Promotion  —  There is no such thing as a pitching prospect.  With the recent graduation of one of the minors' top classes of phenoms in recent memory, a phrase normally left for hyperbole is becoming all-but-too literal.  —  This winter, prospect pundits made cases for their annual pick …