Mets Pitcher to Miss Postseason With Injury  —  Pedro Martínez has missed much of this season with injuries and illness.  He will need four to six weeks to recover from his latest ailment.  —  The Mets had prepared themselves for the probability that Pedro Martínez …

Facing free agency, Nixon reflects on his stay  —  Like Bill Haselman , then the catcher behind the plate, now the Red Sox first base coach, Trot Nixon was wearing a Red Sox uniform Sept. 18, 1996.  You might have missed him, on the end of the bench during that night's game in Detroit, as Roger Clemens pitched.

Baker reflects on difficult season  —  Veteran skipper vows to manage somewhere in 2007  —  CHICAGO — Dusty Baker said he still doesn't know if he'll be managing the Chicago Cubs next season but he does expect to be managing somewhere in 2007.  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has yet …

Suzuki tells Mariners he's willing to play center next year  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki is willing to play center field for the Seattle Mariners next year.  —  "He said he wants to play there, so that's good," manager Mike Hargrove said before Friday's game against Texas.

Yanks' Johnson has herniated disc, playoffs in doubt  —  NEW YORK — Yankees lefty Randy Johnson has a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that could prevent him from pitching in the playoffs next week.  —  The injury was discovered during an MRI exam Thursday.

'Mr. Angel' Has Earned His Wings  —  Tim Salmon looks back at his lengthy career, which will come to an end Sunday at home.  —  It is the first day of the last week of his distinguished career.  The weekend will come soon, and with it the pomp and circumstance of retirement, the ceremonies and farewells and standing ovations.

'Adrenaline' prompts Giles' quick return  —  PHOENIX - Padres right fielder Brian Giles, emboldened by the power of adrenaline, returned to the lineup last night, one day after a sprained right ankle caused him to miss just his fourth start of the season.  —  "I know with the meaning …

South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects List  —  Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players (Click here to subscribe)  —  The low Class A South Atlantic League usually has its share of standout teenage prospects, but 2006 was unusual because four of its brightest young talents played …

Taking a mulligan on baseball's awards  —  Before the season, I compared making predictions to a pink shirt.  Allow me to amend that.  —  Making predictions is like golf: I stink at it, and so does just about everyone else.  —  Of my choices for the six major awards …

Rangers chat wrap: Don't blame Daniels exclusively  —  Evan Grant, The News' Rangers beat writer, answered your questions on Friday, Sept. 29.  —  Evan Grant: Sorry to be a day late (and, as usual, a dollar short), but an aborted takeoff in Orange County yesterday had more to do with it than taking …

Feeling the heat?  Slay the messenger  —  Memo to Terrell Owens: If you have any of that extra-strength pain medication left over, please ship it to St. Louis.  —  In mass quantities.  —  The heat is really on, and so is the hurt.  By the time the first 19 Milwaukee hitters had stepped …

Notes: Barrett needs time to heal  —  Catcher will sit out remainder of season with groin injury  —  CHICAGO — Michael Barrett won't be back this season, but when he returns in 2007, he'll have better protection.  —  The Cubs catcher has been sidelined since a foul tip caused an intrascrotal hematoma on Sept. 2.

Red Sox may sell season naming rights  —  For sale: The 2007 Boston Red Sox season.  —  Just be ready to ante up several million.  —  The Sox may have lost some of their luster on the field after the team's late-season crash landing.  —  But the franchise's front office is just hitting its stride.