Okajima remains in adjustment period  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — For Hideki Okajima, it's as if every hitter is Alex Rodriguez.  Or Vladimir Guerrero.  Or Justin Morneau.  —  "When I'm facing all the batters, if it's a lefthanded batter, I see him just as a generic lefthanded batter," Okajima said, through translator Sachiyo Sekiguchi.

Mets can't hide hurt  —  Willie's not worried, but rash of injuries are beginning to take toll  —  The company line when it comes to injuries, for the Mets or any other team, is to focus on the healthy bodies in the clubhouse.  Ask about a depleted lineup and the answer invariably will stress …

Rangers players, manager need to get in sync  —  The Rangers' clubhouse tension is not unusual.  —  Ron Washington, the team's first-year manager, wants to play a certain style.  Some of his veterans, accustomed to the club's previous ways, are resistant to change.

White Sox still looking for some relief  —  White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen stood near a practice mound in spring training, watching left-hander Andrew Sisco unleash one wicked fastball after another.  —  "Everyone in the bullpen has closer stuff," Guillen proclaimed.

Players defend AA manager  —  Francoeur believes Wellman "regrets what he did".  —  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution  —  The Braves levied a three-game suspension on Class AA Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman on Monday for his bizarre and well-publicized outburst in an argument with an umpire.

Nationals Counting on Draft-Day Payoff  —  Usually by early June, Dana Brown can't hide the bags under his eyes.  Over the past five years, Brown's job title has been "director of scouting" — first for the Montreal Expos, then for the Washington Nationals.

Prospects pushing envelope  —  Nationals cautious about rushing Daniel, Marrero and Maxwell  —  WASHINGTON — Tommy Herr is the manager of Hagerstown, one of the Nationals' three Class A Minor League affiliates.  He is surprised that outfielders Mike Daniel, Chris Marrero and Justin Maxwell are still on his team.

Ramirez still adjusting to new position in lineup  —  ATLANTA — Hanley Ramirez went into Monday's game batting .212 with runners in scoring position - not exactly the kind of production desired from a player who hits third in the batting order.  —  But the Marlins also understand Ramirez …

Finance 101 with Capuano  —  Brewers lefty speaks with kids about being savvy with money  —  MILWAUKEE — Chris Capuano smiled sheepishly as third-graders sitting in front of him bombarded him with questions and comments.  —  "Do you have a piggy bank?"  —  "What's your favorite animal?"

Vote for May's Pepsi Clutch Performer  —  Carmona, Cust, Griffey, Hamels, Lopez, Willingham in running  —  Fausto Carmona, Jack Cust, Ken Griffey Jr., Cole Hamels, Felipe Lopez and Josh Willingham are your six voting candidates in MLB.com's monthly presentation of a brand-new award …

Peavy, Haren honored as May's Pitchers of the Month  —  San Diego Padres right-hander Jake Peavy has been voted National League Pitcher of the Month and Oakland Athletics right-hander Dan Haren has earned American League Pitcher of the Month honors for May, it was announced today.