Mets option righthanded pitcher Chan Ho Park to New Orleans (AAA); Select the contract of righthanded pitcher Lino Urdaneta  —  The New York Mets today selected the contract of righthanded pitcher Lino Urdaneta from New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and optioned righthanded pitcher Chan Ho Park to the Zephyrs.

Matsuzaka searching for answers  —  Right-hander starts latest outing with three consecutive walks  —  BOSTON — Shortly before Daisuke Matsuzaka delivered his first pitch to Ichiro Suzuki on Thursday night, the two Japanese superstars squared off in a contest of unorthodox stretching routines.

Soriano's Lasting Impression  —  With Good Memories, Nats to Meet Former Teammate in Chicago  —  He came for a summer that was, in so many other ways, forgettable.  The Washington Nationals went nowhere in 2006, starting with a poor April, languishing in last place every day after the Fourth of July …

Willis knows his hero's just a call away  —  Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis grew up idolizing Dave Stewart, a 20-game winner for four straight years with the Oakland A's and the Most Valuable Player of the 1989 World Series.  —  So when Stewart left a message two weeks ago asking Willis …

Fox big on Marlins' youth  —  First base/infield coach sees similarities to title squad  —  MIAMI — Observing the collection of young talent on the Marlins, Andy Fox sees many similarities to the franchise's 2003 World Series title club.  —  As a player, Fox joined the Marlins during …

Mets rally, win 11th straight in Arizona  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The New York Mets dominated in the desert again.  —  Damion Easley and David Wright each hit three-run homers in the ninth inning, and the Mets beat Arizona 9-4 on Thursday night for their 11th straight victory in Chase Field.

The New Inefficiency  —  There are two ways to win a lot of baseball games on a tight budget: drafting very intelligently, and properly valuing major league and major league-ready talent.  I suppose that luck does the trick as well, but those first two are the only ones a general manager has any control over.

Bell proves doubters wrong  —  Reliever enjoying breakout season with Padres  —  SAN DIEGO — Without fail, Heath Bell could count on the same question being asked of him each and every year.  That much he didn't have a problem with.  —  What do you want to be when you grow up?

Rays Like This Vision Of The Future  —  ST. PETERSBURG - There really are glimpses of the future occasionally at Tropicana Field.  The future, at least, as the Devil Rays prefer to envision it.  —  It's a future full of games like Thursday's 6-4 victory against the Minnesota Twins …

Lincecum likely to start Sunday  —  Giants' top prospect slated for Major League debut  —  SAN FRANCISCO — One day after the Kentucky Derby, the Giants likely will turn loose their most heralded thoroughbred.  —  Right-hander Tim Lincecum, who has overmatched the Pacific Coast League …

Lack of punch will be Achilles' heel for Dodgers  —  Coming into the 2007 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were a popular pick to take the flag in the National League West.  —  Last year, the Dodgers won 88 games and claimed the NL wild card.  Over the winter, they added such notable talents …

Fenway facts  —  Jon Lester has been at Fenway since about 1 p.m. getting treatment on his cramping forearm from trainer Mike Reinold and working out.  —  Lester hadn't been seen yet by Dr. Thomas Gill who was expected closer to the 6 p.m. hour, but neither Lester, Terry Francona nor anyone …

The Revolution Will Be Broadcast by Da...  05-03  —  Or...Maybe Not by Joe Sheehan  —  05-02  —  Angels on My Mind by Christina Kahrl  —  May 3, 2007, 08:21 PM ET  —  The Revolution Will Be Broadcast  —  by Dan Fox  —  Maury Brown, our guru of all things related to the business of baseball …

Catfish Stew: Instantaneous Trade Analysis  —  The Chronicle reports, via blog, that Jack Cust is the A's answer to the latest injury woes.  (When Jack Cust is the answer, you are, perhaps, asking uncomfortable questions...) The Chronicle further notes that Cust is "a longtime favorite of Oakland GM Billy Beane."

Yanks place Hughes on DL, recall Britton  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rookie Phil Hughes was put on the disabled list Thursday, the seventh New York Yankees pitcher to go on the DL this season.  —  Chris Britton was recalled from Triple-A Scranton to give the Yankees a fresh arm …

Future Shock: Unpaid Hazards by Kevin Goldstein  —  Unpaid Hazards  —  In Sunday's draft notebook, I characterized Missouri State southpaw Ross Detwiler as a "safe and solid pick."  For saying so, I got taken to task by a reader, who asked just how safe any pitcher can really be.