Schoeneweis' leg injury could use relief  —  Scott Schoeneweis winced last night when asked about the leg problem that has bothered him since spring training.  Not from the pain.  It doesn't really hurt.  But the Mets reliever, not looking to make any excuses for his poor start …

Splitting the difference  —  Braves prevail in opener, fall in second game of DH  —  The Braves played the Marlins three times in 27 hours, and it looked like it by the end of the doubleheader Tuesday night.  —  The Braves sleep-walked through the second game, losing 5-1 to rookie Rick Vanden Hurk …

Cubs place right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman on the 15-day disabled list  —  Select right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher from Double-A Tennessee  —  MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs today placed right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 2, with a strained right elbow.

Sheff surprised with stir; teammate glad he said it  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Detroit Tigers star Gary Sheffield insists he meant "nothing derogatory" toward Latin players when he said Major League Baseball found it easier to "control them" than blacks.  —  However, teammate Carlos Guillen said he was happy Sheffield said what he said.

Sox held at bay  —  DiNardo and A's keep them in a fog  —  OAKLAND, Calif.—Until Valentine's Day, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Lenny DiNardo were Red Sox teammates.  But then the Sox needed to clear a spot to add outfielder J.D. Drew to the roster, and DiNardo was gone, claimed on waivers by the Oakland Athletics.

Rangers going with Victor Diaz  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - The Rangers are committing to a young, power-hitting Dominican-born outfielder.  —  Meanwhile, Nelson Cruz is going to the minors.  —  The club made two moves Tuesday, optioning Cruz to Oklahoma and designating struggling Matt Kata for assignment.

The Big Picture  —  Graying Offenses  —  No doubt about it, hitters are getting older.  A little over two months into 2007, the average age per plate appearance sits just below the all-time high achieved in 1945, when most young men were off fighting World War II.

Mets edged by Phils in extras  —  Glavine denied career win No. 296 for third time  —  NEW YORK — It isn't a problem yet, and it's well short of being something psychologically challenging.  Tom Glavine calls it a rut, and that seems quite appropriate.  It is a rut — seemingly not too deep or too wide.

Back trouble could land Crede on DL  —  Third baseman Joe Crede didn't start Tuesday night against the Yankees because of recurring back problems that have nagged the White Sox third baseman for longer than he has admitted, according to manager Ozzie Guillen and general manager Ken Williams.

Clutch hits propel Astros past Rockies  —  Houston no-hit for 4 2/3 innings; Berkman, Scott provide lift  —  DENVER — Their first 14 hitters were retired in order by the top pitching prospect they traded away last winter.  —  Their All-Star first baseman and manager both were ejected …

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Padres beat Dodgers 1-0, move back into first  —  SAN DIEGO - Marcus Giles singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Trevor Hoffman moved within one save of becoming the first big leaguer with 500 for his career as the Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 Tuesday night to re-claim first place in the NL West.

Pedro back on the mound  —  Encouraging bullpen session has Pedro optimistic he'll return this season  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez is about as confident and optimistic as any rehabbing athlete will ever be.  Flashing his effervescent smile yesterday, he walked away …

George W. Bush benches more than Kevin Durant  —  We're hoping that because of Kevin Durant's recent pathetic bench press showing at the NBA Draft Camp - he couldn't lift 185 lbs. even once - he'll fall all the way to the Warriors at the 18th pick.  We'd gladly take him and his puny arms.