Giambi: Baseball's apology needed over steroid issue  —  CHICAGO — New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, saying he's likely tested for illegal performance-enhancing drugs more often than anyone else, believes Major League Baseball should have apologized years ago for its widespread drug problem.

Farnsworth: Rocket shouldn't be allowed to leave  —  CHICAGO — New York reliever Kyle Farnsworth thinks no one on the Yankees, not even Roger Clemens, should be allowed to leave the team when they aren't pitching.  —  Farnsworth was on Chicago's 670 AM The Score on Thursday morning …

Bergmann to miss scheduled start  —  Results of MRI on his right elbow were negative  —  WASHINGTON — A few days after having the best game of his career, Nationals right-hander Jason Bergmann had an MRI on Thursday after experiencing tightness in his right elbow.  The results were negative.

Liberty CEO: We'll leave baseball to Braves  —  New owners say CEO McGuirk 'will have flexibility to increase payroll'  —  Thursday morning, about nine hours after Liberty Media Corp. officially took ownership of the Atlanta Braves, Liberty president and CEO Greg Maffei spoke …

Braves activate Redman, cut Wilson  —  WASHINGTON — The Atlanta Braves activated left-hander Mark Redman from the 15-day disabled list Thursday in case John Smoltz hasn't recovered enough from a dislocated right pinky to start against the Boston Red Sox this weekend.

And the NL All-Star shortstop is ...  So they hand you your 2007 All-Star ballot.  You're punching away blissfully.  And then it happens.  —  You arrive at what has become the new showpiece position of baseball:  —  Shortstop.  National League.  —  Uh-oh.

Autopsy of a Losing Skid  —  That was ugly.  It was ugly like the remains of Benito Santiago after dying of leprosy—adipocere setting in—and then getting run over by a combine with dull, chipped blades coated in moldy pig manure.  —  Hey, I said this was gonna be an autopsy.

Puzzled O's say pieces are there … TORONTO // If Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo's job is in jeopardy - despite statements to the contrary from the club earlier this week - he could be catching a break from the schedule.  —  The reeling Orioles will play nine of their next 12 games against teams …

Union files grievances over Mateo, Callaspo  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball players' association filed grievances Thursday over the suspensions of Seattle Mariners pitcher Julio Mateo and Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Alberto Callaspo.  —  The union's grievance on behalf of Mateo also claims …

Mets Say Reliever's Demotion Wasn't Based on Positive Test  —  When the Mets sent reliever Lino Urdaneta to Class AAA New Orleans on Tuesday, they had been told that he had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.  General Manager Omar Minaya said that he was notified last Friday …

The Return of the Hop  —  The 600-home run plateau has been reached by only four players in major-league history.  Yet somehow, one player is fast approaching that mark with less fanfare than an episode of 30 Rock.  If it is possible to make an under-the-radar assault on 600 homers, then that's what Sammy Sosa is doing.

Gross, Sheets lead Brewers to victory  —  Outfielder hits pair of solo homers; righty goes 7 2/3 strong  —  PHILADELPHIA — Brewers manager Ned Yost strolled up to first baseman Prince Fielder early Thursday afternoon and presented his problem.  —  Francisco Cordero, the closer, was upset.

Networks Know That All Rivalries Aren't Viewed Equally  —  Interleague play begins today, and guess which two teams Fox and ESPN are featuring this weekend?  The Yankees and the Mets.  It doesn't matter if they're at Shea Stadium or at Yankee Stadium, or if both teams are great.

Acta's Moves Have Nationals Going In the Right Direction  —  Acta's Moves Have Nationals Going In the Right Direction : Nationals 4, Braves 3  —  A month or even 10 days ago, each ball the Washington Nationals needed to be fair fell foul, each button Manager Manny Acta pressed failed to bring a response.