Calf injury could keep El Duque from Game 1 start  —  NEW YORK — Already missing Pedro Martinez, the New York Mets suddenly might have to replace pitcher Orlando Hernandez in Game 1 of the playoffs because of a calf injury, too.  —  El Duque felt discomfort in his right calf while he was jogging …

Beimel's status in jeopardy  —  Left-handed reliever injured in freak accident in hotel room  —  NEW YORK — Reliever Joe Beimel suffered a bloody gash to his pitching hand in a freak hotel accident Tuesday morning, leaving him in stitches and the Dodgers bullpen roster spots in limbo …

Moving From Red Sox Nation to the Dodgers' Galaxy  —  Derek Lowe walked into an interview room at Shea Stadium yesterday, placed his glove over a folding chair, tested the microphone and formally introduced himself.  —  Then he issued what should have been an obvious disclaimer.

Nationals release six  —  Injuries common thread among players let go  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals released pitchers Pedro Astacio, Zach Day, Ryan Drese, Brian Lawrence, Joey Eischen and Felix Rodriguez on Tuesday.  All six were hampered by injuries during the 2006 season.

Indians exercise 2007 club options on RHP Jake Westbrook and OF/INF Casey Blake  —  Westbrook won 15 games for second consecutive season; Blake raised average 41 points in 2006 after hitting .282 w/19 HR and 68 RBI  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has exercised …

No one talking after Rangers meeting  —  Management remains mum on the future of Showalter  —  The sound of silence was deafening again Tuesday as the Rangers' top management troika met at the estate of owner Tom Hicks to discuss the future of manager Buck Showalter.

Three coaches won't return to Phils  —  Bombard, Dancy and Varsho relieved of duties  —  PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel will return to manage the Phillies in 2007, but he'll be searching for three new coaches.  —  "[Manuel will] be back for 2007," general manager Pat Gillick said when reached by phone on Tuesday night.

Analysis: Creativity, confidence keys heading into 2007  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  On the penultimate day of spring training, in the visitors' clubhouse at Fort Myers, Fla., shortstop Jack Wilson put forth the most accurate prediction of the year regarding the Pirates …

Chopped liver  —  In 1999, Voros McCracken discovered what has come to be known as the "DIPS" theory - that pitchers have only a small influence on whether a ball in play becomes a hit.  Since then, and in the standard fashion of scientific enquiry, there have been frequent studies testing McCracken's hypothesis.

Jackson, Wallace Won't Return  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox said Monday the contracts of hitting coach Ron Jackson and pitching coach Dave Wallace will not be renewed for next season as part of a mutual agreement between the team and the two coaches.  —  It shouldn't take long for the Red Sox to name their successors.

Yanks' Rodriguez Is Dropped to the Sixth Spot  —  As Alex Rodriguez embarks on another postseason tonight, he will hit sixth in the Yankees' lineup, the lowest spot he has hit from in more than 10 years.  —  Manager Joe Torre said he could not go wrong arranging so many powerful hitters in any order.

BALCO chemist subpoenaed  —  Steroid creator Arnold to appear before grand jury  —  Patrick Arnold, the Illinois chemist who created the designer steroid at the center of the BALCO scandal, has been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury investigating San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, a source close to Arnold told SI.com.

Former Phils organist Richardson dies  —  Fixture's passing comes after 35-year tenure with club  —  PHILADELPHIA — To the 73 million who passed through Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park since 1970, he was known as the guy behind the organ.

Follow the Jeter  —  Yanks captain goes 5-for-5 with homer to burn Tigers  —  NEW YORK (AP) — In the New York Yankees' modern-day Murderers' Row, one player always stands out: Derek Jeter.  —  The Yankees captain tied the postseason record for hits, going 5-for-5 with two doubles …