Clemens announces return to Yanks  —  Seven-time Cy Young Award winner agrees to one-year deal  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees desperately needed another quality starting pitcher.  Roger Clemens didn't want to wait any longer to pitch.  It all came together on a memorable Sunday afternoon.

Notes: Smith a man of ritual  —  Right-hander has extended process of uniform preparation  —  PHOENIX — The ritual began while Joe Smith was learning his craft at Wright State and regularly enduring a rather benign wardrobe malfunction.  The bottom of the legs of his uniform pants would ride …

Lawrence signs with Mets  —  Cincinnati - Unable to crack the Rockies' rotation, Brian Lawrence will attempt to restart his career with the New York Mets.  —  Lawrence signed with the Mets on Sunday, according to his agent.  He is expected to make some minor-league starts to rebuild arm strength.

O's are willing to wait for their future catcher … The Orioles envision a day when Brandon Snyder, their first pick in the 2005 draft, becomes their regular homegrown catcher.  They also know it's going to take time, partly because he came to them out of high school, and since he's being forced to play a different position this year.

Twins place Mauer on 15-day DL  —  Minnesota calls up catcher Heintz from Triple-A Rochester  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins will be without starting catcher Joe Mauer for at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a strain in his left quad muscle and the team placed him on the 15-day disabled list.

Peavy stymies Marlins in brilliant outing  —  Ace fans 10, allows just one run, one hit over seven frames  —  MIAMI — When the Padres signed Greg Maddux to a one-year, $10 million contract in December, they did so to bolster their starting rotation, not because they were seeking a clubhouse tutor.

Pelfrey inconsistent in finale  —  Rookie hit with fourth loss as club's winning streak halted  —  PHOENIX — The benefit of the doubt was in ample supply Sunday afternoon as the Mets measured the latest performance of Mike Pelfrey.  They viewed his work, not through the prism of his potential …

BELTRAN, ALOU ONSORE SIDE  —  The Mets were without both Moises Alou and Carlos Beltran in yesterday's starting lineup, with both outfielders ailing.  —  Alou has been battling a hurt left knee, and yesterday he didn't play for the third straight day.  Beltran's left quad is "a little sore …

Erstad gets Pods' spot at leadoff  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — It's not that Ozzie Guillen doesn't trust Scott Podsednik as a leadoff hitter.  —  He just doesn't trust that Podsednik can remain healthy in that role.  —  That's why, when Podsednik comes off the 15-day disabled list after recovering …

The Couch Slouch: Foreigners living the American dream  —  Remember when baseball was as American as sodium-nitrate hot dogs, sugar-laden apple pie and gas-guzzling Chevy Impalas?  —  Back in Babe Ruth's day, 99 percent of all major leaguers were born in the United States.

Hamilton adds to astonishing start  —  Rookie outfielder does it all as Reds beat Rockies  —  CINCINNATI — It seems a new chapter is being written daily in the remarkable and improbable story of Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton.  —  Fewer than 24 hours after falling a home run shy of hitting for the cycle …

Outfield not Piniella's favorite topic, OK?  —  With Felix Pie getting a reprieve, it seemed like a fair line of questioning to ask about his role in the still crowded Cubs outfield.  —  But manager Lou Piniella got testy when asked about the rookie's future during his pregame media briefing Sunday, finally ending it abruptly.