Tigers release Jose Mesa, Rodney to be activated Tuesday  —  CLEVELAND — The Tigers admitted today that the signing of Jose Mesa didn't work out.  They released Mesa after their 9-2 win over Cleveland, to make way for Fernando Rodney to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday in Texas.

Notes: Beltran's return imminent  —  Center fielder expects to return on Tuesday vs. Phillies  —  NEW YORK — Finally, there's light at the end of the tunnel.  —  Injured center fielder Carlos Beltran said he is certain he will play on Tuesday, despite not feeling sharp as late as Sunday morning.

ADD FIRST BASE TO DAMON'S GROWING LIST OF DUTIES  —  With Jason Giambi on the disabled list, the bulk of Johnny Damon's playing time is going to come as the designated hitter.  However, the Yankees are making plans to turn Damon into a jack-of-all-trades player, The Post has learned.

Prince Hal to be king  —  Boss' son steps up; Cashman and Torre safe for now  —  After years of avoiding the spotlight of the Yankee empire, George Steinbrenner's youngest son has stepped up to take the leading role of a franchise in a state of flux.  —  Hal Steinbrenner, 38 …

Sheffield has theory why fewer blacks play MLB  —  The percentage of African-Americans playing Major League Baseball is at an all-time low and Gary Sheffield says he has a theory why that's the case.  —  In an interview with GQ magazine that's currently on newsstands, the typically outspoken …

Cubs rout Braves to end six-game slide  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs came out swinging — and no, not at each other.  —  Mark DeRosa hit a grand slam, Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee added solo homers, and the Cubs closed out a tumultuous weekend by beating the Atlanta Braves 10-1 on Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak.

Ethier's HR lifts Dodgers over Bucs 5-4  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — As Brad Penny headed to the Dodgers' clubhouse trailing for one of the few times this season, he told manager Grady Little not to worry — a comeback was about to happen.  Penny's prediction was much better than his pitching.

OUT TO LAUNCH  —  CLEMENS NOT GROIN TO START ON MONDAY  —  Roger Clemens' re-entry into the Yankees' universe won't be tomorrow night as planned.  In a season dominated by injuries, the Yankees have a player hurt that was being counted on to ignite their subpar season, and he isn't even on the roster.

Rosenthal's Latest Video  —  Ken Rosenthal reeled off a slew of sweet trade rumors in a couple of videos today, which you can watch at FOXSports.  Let's discuss.  — Rosenthal says the Cubs won't trade Carlos Zambrano unless they fall out of contention or the big righty requests a trade.

FIRST ROUND  —  The First Round is ready to go.  Make your pick in the comment thread and I will process.  —  1) Devil Rays: David Price, LHP, Vanderbilt  —  2) Royals: Matt Wieters, C, Georgia Tech  —  3) Cubs: Rick Porcello, RHP, NJ HS  —  4) Pirates: Josh Vitters, 3B, California HS

SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...OLIVER PEREZ  —  June 3, 2007 — The Post's Steve Serby sat down at Shea with the effervescent Mets lefty who is 6-3 with a 2.69 ERA:  —  Q: Would you pay to watch Oliver Perez pitch?  —  A: Yeah.  I love how I pitch (smiles).  —  Q: Paul Lo Duca says you'll pitch a no-hitter.

Speigner's early troubles doom Nats  —  Washington unable to dig itself out from six-run deficit  —  WASHINGTON — While most of the Nationals' rotation is out with injuries, Levale Speigner is going through a different kind of suffering — a persistent case of bad luck.