Cards notebook: Ponson will start  —  Ponson will start  —  Sidney Ponson learned shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday that he will return to the starting rotation Sunday.  His rapid response was a bullpen session that left him soaked in perspiration but anticipating his approaching second chance.

Baker's days appear numbered  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The clock is close to officially ticking down what a growing number of close observers now suspect will be the final weeks of Dusty Baker's tenure as Cubs manager.  —  It might be perceived more correctly as a time bomb.

Phillies ace arrested in Boston on domestic violence charge  —  BOSTON —Philadelphia Phillies ace pitcher Brett Myers was arrested Friday and charged with assaulting his wife on a downtown Boston street.  —  Myers, 25, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Red Sox …

O's bullpen folds in ninth, 10th … As the Florida Marlins celebrated an improbable victory, several Orioles lingered in the home dugout, seated on the bench with their eyes fixated on the field as if they were still trying to comprehend what had just happened.  It indeed, was hard to fathom.

Delgado first, then Pedro  —  Before Pedro Martinez visits Fenway for the first time since leaving the Red Sox, the Mets' reunion tour has another stop to make.  —  The Mets are at Toronto tonight through Sunday, meaning Carlos Delgado will face his former team for the first time.

A Legend's Uncertain Future  —  The past is the past, and no one's taking it away from Frank Robinson, least of all those in Baltimore, where he will arrive today to manage the 2,155th game of his major league career.  "I am attached to Baltimore," he said this week, "and I always will be."

The right way: You write it, you show up  —  Sometimes I get the feeling that what I do for a living is a complete mystery to people.  —  Mostly I get this feeling when readers tell me to stick to the facts and stop introducing opinion into my columns.  —  This is like telling Mike Ditka to stop with the red meat already.

Conte may have leaked transcripts  —  The BALCO saga took a bizarre turn Thursday when Barry Bonds' personal trainer appeared in federal court and the government accidentally revealed confidential information that put Victor Conte Jr. back in the spotlight.  —  The San Jose Mercury News learned …

Under The Knife  —  The Fight for Youth  —  I hope everyone will read UTK for the info you expect, then keep reading after Quick Cuts.  The extended piece is too long to put up top, but needs to be read by everyone, especially if you're involved in youth baseball.

A league of their own  —  Bats come alive vs. weaker NL  —  Among the statistical devices Red Sox management has at its disposal is a program that simulates a major league season.  One thing the Sox brass has done: place American League teams as presently composed in the National League and simulate a 162-game season.

Reyes and Wright Are Hitting, and Hitting Their Stride  —  It is entirely conceivable that in the last few hours, some organization has lavished another honor on David Wright or José Reyes, the Mets' talented 23-year-old infielders.  But at last check, these were their recent accomplishments:

Bank on Hank: Blalock keys Rangers' 5-3 win  —  ARLINGTON - Cleanup hitter Hank Blalock showed again in Thursday's 5-3 win over San Diego why his bat is critical in clutch situations.  But where exactly does his bat belong in the lineup?  —  Blalock went 2-for-4 and had the winning two-run double in the fifth inning.