Union denies Mitchell's medical records request  —  NEW YORK — The baseball players' union rebuffed a request from Sen. George Mitchell's staff to submit anonymous medical records to his steroids probe, according to several lawyers familiar with the negotiations.

AMAZIN'S AWAIT SOME MOTA HELP  —  In less than three weeks, the Mets could have a new impact pitcher and a reliever who could be a vital component to their bullpen.  —  Guillermo Mota could be eligible to return to the Mets on May 30, 19 days away.  Mota, who's suspended for the first 50 games …

A's agree to terms with outfielder Nick Swisher on five-year contract  —  New contract runs through 2011 with a club option for 2012  —  OAKLAND — The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has agreed to terms with outfielder Nick Swisher on a five-year contract through the 2011 season with a one-year club option for 2012.

JOE'S CONCERNS MOUNT, ON AND OFF FIELD  —  THE homestand did not end well, and the 3,000-mile airplane trip that awaited promised to be even longer and duller than usual.  The final score was 14-2, and there was some shoddy defense all around, and five days after looking like the most unhittable man …

Wakefield delivers knuckle sandwich  —  TORONTO — The petty bloggery, Barry blathering, and Papi peeving?  Excess baggage, the kind the Red Sox were more than happy to leave at the border.  —  When a trip has been as good as this one was for the Sox — five of six wins against the Twins and Blue Jays …

Arrest puts Callaspo in limbo  —  May. 10, 2007 10:13 PM Infielder Alberto Callaspo's immediate future with the Diamondbacks is up in the air after he was arrested Thursday by Phoenix police on suspicion of assault on his wife and criminal damage.  —  Callaspo, 24, was booked …

Location, Location, Location  —  The location of a pitch is one important factor in determining its fate.  If a batter swings at a pitch thrown low in the strike zone, he has a good chance of hitting a ground ball, while if he swings at a higher pitch, there is a greater chance of him hitting the ball in the air.

AN ORDER OF TEXAS TOAST  —  RANGERS WHACK YANKS ON WAY OUT OF TOWN  —  The Yankees only mustered one real rally yesterday, and it came long after a 14-2 rout to Texas.  —  Knowing that the blowout was indefensible, team leaders instead pointed to the Bombers' play during a 4-3 homestand that, frankly, should've been better.

Prospectus Matchups  —  Team Hopping  —  Best Matchup (opponents with best combined chances of making the playoffs according to the Baseball Prospectus Postseason Odds Report): Milwaukee Brewers @ New York Mets  —  For fun, we used the Postseason Odds Report to set the matchups today …

Bonderman out with blister; Tigers to bring up and start Vasquez on Sunday  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Jeremy Bonderman will miss his scheduled start Sunday night, and the Tigers will recall right-hander Virgil Vasquez to take his turn in the rotation.  —  Bonderman, the team's Opening Day starter …

Angels must beg, borrow or steal  —  Team needs to make a deal for a hitter so season won't go to waste.  —  I don't believe what I just saw.  —  Jose Molina stole home.  —  In a year of the improbable, the impossible has happened.  —  Jose Molina stole home.

Updating With The President  —  Fans are suffering through a tough first 6 weeks of the season?— asked SBF.  —  "Yeah, I hear you," replied Washington Nationals Team President Stan Kasten.  "Thankfully, none of them are suffering like I am.  It is a hard time.  Even though I have been through it.

Latin Food at Yankee Stadium.  Now, How About That!  —  In the Bronx, Latin food has always been easy to find.  But not in Yankee Stadium.  It has been one place in the majority-Hispanic borough where the only thing that came close to qualifying as authentic Latin fare was an order of nachos.

Indians to wear No. 14 in honor of Doby  —  Tribe to don trailblazer's jersey number on Aug. 10 vs. Yanks  —  ANAHEIM — It wasn't that long ago that Larry Doby's name didn't even strike a chord of recognition with C.C. Sabathia.  —  "I didn't really know anything about him," Sabathia said, "until I got [to the Indians]."

O's offense picks up Cabrera in finale  —  Season-high 11 runs offset righty's rough night vs. Rays  —  BALTIMORE — Sam Perlozzo has watched the conflicting personas of Daniel Cabrera often enough, wondering whether the next start would bring the confident pitcher who throws balls by opponents …