Padres-Rangers Preview  —  The Texas Rangers look to extend their winning streak to four when they begin a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Ameriquest Field on Tuesday.  —  The Rangers (38-32) swept Arizona in three games over the weekend and are looking to win four straight …

Notes: Armas Jr., Johnson hurting  —  No DL decision has been made as players return to D.C.  —  BOSTON — Nationals right-hander Tony Armas Jr. and first baseman Nick Johnson returned to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to be checked out by Dr. Ben Schaffer.  Armas has elbow and forearm problems …

Devil Rays deal Gathright to Royals for LHP Howell … The Kansas City Royals have traded left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for center fielder Joey Gathright, ESPN.com has learned.  —  The Rays also sent minor league second baseman Fernando Cortez to the Royals in that deal.

Home-field matters  —  Garner, Guillen will play to win 2006 All-Star Game  —  PITTSBURGH — Last year's Fall Classic won't be lost on Phil Garner when he manages the National League in next month's Midsummer Classic.  —  His Astros were swept by Chicago, but Garner knows the complexion …

Baseball Won't Save Samples For Testing  —  While Commissioner Bud Selig reiterated that Major League Baseball was eventually hoping to find a urine test to detect human growth hormone, he said he did not envision freezing urine samples from baseball players for future testing.

Sox Dealt An Ace In Arroyo  —  NEW YORK — Almost two hours before the first pitch Monday, Bronson Arroyo sat inside the visitors clubhouse at Shea Stadium scanning MLB.com and glancing at the College World Series on television.  —  Dressed in a white, button-down shirt adorned with loopy brown circles …

Baker: 'Are you guys going to miss me?'  —  Manager knows extension in doubt  —  CLEVELAND — Cubs manager Dusty Baker finished talking about his uncertain future in Chicago Monday at Jacobs Field when he turned the tables and asked reporters a question.  —  "Why, are you guys going to miss me?" he said.

It's A-Rod Season!  —  I just noticed the following entry over at NoMaas.org - … Related, Peter Abraham has an A-Rod "clutch" stat in his blog today: … Around three weeks ago, I looked at A-Rod's numbers this season in a different light.  —  And, I thought that I would re-look at them today.

Managers not an endangered species in '06  —  The last time that an entire season passed without a managerial dismissal was 2000.  —  It could happen again.  —  Eight managers are beginning their first full seasons with new clubs, and only four are in the final years of contracts.

Under The Knife  —  Game Seven/Game Six  —  Powered by a furious Game Seven from one of the most evenly matched Stanley Cups in history, on to Game Six of the NBA Finals ... oh, and on to the injuries:  — Call it a cascade if you want.  There hasn't been much discussion of Pedro Martinez …

Despite low OBP, Reyes is dangerous leadoff hitter  —  Can a guy with a .338 on-base percentage be the best leadoff hitter in the National League?  The question occurred to me recently as I watched the Mets' Jose Reyes score from second base on a dribbler to third against Philadelphia.

Weaknesses Finally Catching Up To Yanks  —  PHILADELPHIA — For five weeks the Yankees have hung in with their shell of a lineup, but the holes are beginning to show and the possibility of falling far behind looks more real than ever.  —  Playing in National League parks with no DH …

The Pirates' Nutting family buying Seven Springs  —  CHAMPION, Pa.— The Nutting media empire, part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, soon will be the sole owner of Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania's biggest ski resort.  —  The Nuttings are buying the resort from the Dupre family …

Prospectus Hit List  —  Week of June 18th  —  Team  —  Overall W-L  —  Week W-L  —  Hit List Factor  —  Trend  —  Roaring Back: winners of eight out of nine, the Tigers restake their claim on the top spot by beating two of the Hit List's weakest sisters.

Samardzija deal raises Selig's ire  —  CLEVELAND — Notre Dame right-hander Jeff Samardzija may or may not become the next Bo Jackson, but just like Bo, he knows money.  —  Baseball America reported the Cubs plan to give their fifth-round draft pick a $7.25 million bonus if he winds up making baseball his primary sport over football.