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 …

Boss: Cashman's on big hook  —  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.

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 …

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 …

The Return of Pedro  —  Busy day here in South Florida.  In addition to a long list of injury updates, Pedro Martinez rolled in this afternoon to say hi and see if his No. 45 still fits.  As usual, the visitors clubhouse took on a circus-like atmosphere, with Martinez laughing and joking …

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 …

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.

Where To Get Your Vicarious Baseball Thrills  —  Best National League Matchup (Best combined chances of making the playoffs according to the BP's Postseason Odds): Milwaukee Brewers @ San Diego Padres  —  You've got to like a team that understands that maintaining early success is not a given …

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.