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.

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.

Nationals fall in wet conditions  —  Simontacchi struggles against Padres on rainy day at RFK  —  WASHINGTON — The helmets were wet, raindrops were falling and there was standing water in the infield.  —  The decision?  Play ball.  —  Nine muddy innings later, the Padres left Washington …

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.

Notes from Sunday's games  —  DETROIT: Manager Jim Leyland said it was a difficult decision to release 41-year-old Jose Mesa on Sunday despite the right-hander's 12.34 ERA in 16 games.  "I'm not sure I gave him a fair chance to get settled in," Leyland said. ...

A-Rod to Sox?  Deal could wake up 2 teams  —  Ozzie Guillen's support of Alex Rodriguez after his popup incident in Toronto makes it seem even more likely the White Sox will make a play to sign Rodriguez once he reaches free agency, if not before.  —  Given the growing desperation of the two teams …

Davis pitches Diamondbacks past Mets  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Doug Davis allowed a run and six hits in 7 2-3 innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks won for the ninth time in 10 games, beating the New York Mets 4-1 on Sunday.  —  The Diamondbacks concluded a successful six-game road trip through Philadelphia …

Donovan has second thoughts about Magic job … Billy Donovan informed the Magic and the University of Florida over the weekend that he had second thoughts about agreeing to be Orlando's head coach, but it's unclear if the NBA team will let him go.  —  Orlando has a signed contract from Donovan …

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.

Lane sent to Triple-A; Burke recalled  —  Outfielder frustrated but looking forward to more playing time  —  HOUSTON — Jason Lane wasn't terribly shocked when he was called into manager Phil Garner's office following the Astros' loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.

Rays to target offensive depth in draft … ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays are expected to make Vanderbilt LHP David Price the first pick of Thursday's draft.  But once they get to their second selection, 64 picks and an estimated four hours of ESPN2 babbling later, they will be looking beyond the mound.

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.

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 …

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.