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.

Pirates Notebook: A return for Craig Wilson?  —  Craig Wilson was cut loose yesterday morning by the Atlanta Braves.  —  Next stop: Pittsburgh?  —  The Pirates were not among the handful of teams that contacted Steve Hilliard, Wilson's agent, in the hours after the first baseman was given his unconditional release yesterday.

Votes are in!  —  Experts pick Reyes over Captain  —  One shortstop is the sure thing, the man with the resume, the rings and a probable pass to Cooperstown, even though his career is far from over.  The other shortstop is a blue-and-orange blur, the Met of now and 10 years from now who very soon …

A RICKEY REUNION?  —  Even as the A's have gone through outfielders left and right, there's still one out there who's itching to play for them.  —  Rickey Henderson, baseball's all-time stolen base leader and a man whom general manager Billy Beane calls "probably the greatest Oakland A's player ever …

5/17/07 vs Detroit  —  A good ending to a real good day.  Julian, Oki, and Paps were phenomenal in game 1 and with Erik Hinske in the field and at the plate, combined with yet another stellar performance by the pen, we do the improbable and sweep a double header.

Rockies expected to promote Clarke  —  At this point, the Rockies' bullpen doesn't need a gate, but a revolving door and walking escalator.  When the team opens its interleague series Friday against the Kansas City Royals, Double-A reliever Darren Clarke is expected to join the relief corps.

Getting Wright  —  There's a new A-Rod in New York.  His name is David Wright.  After stellar, career-launching seasons in 2005 and 2006, Wright has seen somewhat of a power outage from the latter half of 2006 spill over into a full-blown slump in 2007.  I didn't really realize the magnitude …

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.

Notes: Beckett heading to DL  —  Hansack to come up from Pawtucket to make Friday's start  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox mulled it over with Josh Beckett for a few days, then took definitive action.  On Friday the Red Sox will place the right-hander on the disabled list — retroactive to May 13 …

Yanks' season slipping away  —  If the Yankees looked broken down and listless, tight and frustrated while losing four of six on their just-completed road trip to Seattle and Chicago, just wait for the contrast when they begin their three-game Subway Series against the vibrant Mets Friday night at Shea.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.