Steinbrenner: Cashman on hook for 2007 finish  —  NEW YORK — Despite constant speculation about manager Joe Torre's job, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner says someone else also needs to deliver as the team looks to reverse its floundering start: general manager Brian Cashman.

Gonzalez to have season-ending elbow surgery  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez will miss the rest of the season and at least half of 2008 after learning he must have reconstructive elbow surgery.  —  Gonzalez, placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 16 with a left elbow strain …

Prospectus Hit List: Busting Out from Below  —  Despite dropping a series to the Yankees in the Bronx, the Sox continue to enjoy a large cushion in the AL East.  Even with Manny Ramirez hitting a paltry .250/.332/.407 (at least he's up to Being Manny Jiminez), slumping J.D. Drew at .237/.346/.333 …

Jon Heyman: Texas may look to deal Mark Teixeira  —  Also in this column:  —  Baseball executives are predicting that Texas' switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira could be on the trade market this summer.  The last-place Rangers, already 9 1/2 games out in the AL West …

Braun brought up for his bat  —  Dessens placed on 15-day DL  —  San Diego - With third base turning into a black hole offensively in a lineup struggling to score runs, the Milwaukee Brewers could wait no longer to call up Ryan Braun.  —  The Brewers announced late Thursday night that Braun …

Marlins pitchers plagued by walks  —  MIAMI GARDENS — The most walks the Marlins allowed in a game was 12 on Oct. 5, 2001, but that record should have an asterisk.  Outfielder John Mabry, called in to pitch during a 20-3 loss to the Braves, walked three batters.

Pirates Notebook: Tracy calls clutch hitting 'deplorable'  —  ST. LOUIS — It takes quite a bit to get Jim Tracy's dander up, so it might raise an eyebrow that he used the word "deplorable" yesterday to describe the Pirates' hitting with runners in scoring position.

O's lose series finale to Jays  —  Struggling reliever Baez allows Rios' 10th-inning homer  —  BALTIMORE — The Orioles eased off veteran reliever Danys Baez in the eighth inning Thursday night, but they gave the struggling setup man an even tougher assignment.

Gio Deals In Zebulon  —  ZEBULON, N.C.-We'll have more from White Sox lefthander Gio Gonzalez soon, but we felt like his Thursday outing had to me immediately addressed.  —  The 2004 first-round supplemental pick struck out 12-one shy of his career-high in Double-A Birmingham's 2-1, 11-inning loss to Carolina.

Who's most underrated?  Start with Oswalt … One thing I've noticed in my short reign as America's Ultimate Czar of Underratedness and Overratedness:  —  It's a lot more fun to call a guy underrated than overrated.  —  For some reason, when I roll out my fabled reality-versus-illusion concept …

Mets not having 2nd thoughts  —  ATLANTA — History keeps repeating itself at second base for the Mets, who once again have asked a backup player to leave the bench and step to the forefront of their everyday lineup.  This year, it is Damion Easley.  Last year, it was Jose Valentin.

Bengals coach apologizes for police comments  —  Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has apologized for comments he made on Dan Patrick's ESPN radio show about Cincinnati police possibly profiling his players.  —  "Yesterday, I gave a radio interview and made some comments that did not illustrate …

Percival's comeback intriguing to Marlins  —  · The Marlins' search for a closer has shifted back outside the organization.  —  A source who has spoken with the club said Wednesday the Marlins are closely monitoring Troy Percival's comeback bid.  A long-time member of the Los Angeles Angels …