Sources: Nats trying to trade for Dukes  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Nationals are pursuing a trade for troubled Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.  —  No deal is imminent, and other clubs remain interested in Dukes, one source says.

Reporter booted for blogging a college baseball game  —  This is one of the most ignorant moves by officials that I've seen in a while.  It will be quite entertaining to watch the Kentucky blogosphere on this one, and to watch the officials go down in flames.  Geez.  This is a wild one.

Notes: Clark exits as Loney gets call  —  Outfielder likely to opt out of contract if he clears waivers  —  LOS ANGELES — Outfielder Brady Clark was designated for assignment on Sunday, and infielder James Loney was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.  —  Clark, who was hitting .224 …

Second-guessing may be the order of the day today  —  PHOENIX, Ariz. — The managerial wheels were turning yesterday.  —  And when it was all over and the Red Sox had suffered a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, Boston manager Terry Francona had a few decisions to rehash.

Remember Jeff Samardzija?  He's 0-The Season  —  Remember Jeff Samardzija?  Last time you heard from him he was being glorified on national TV along with his pals Brady Quinn and Charlie Weis.  And no longer being buoyed by NBC's self-interested promotion of the Irish, his luck seems to have dried up, at least for now.

What are the ESPN Player Ratings? … At the start of 2006, I was challenged to come up with a formula that ranks all major league players.  After bouncing ideas off the Elias Sports Bureau, MIT and others over the last year, I eventually wrote the formulas that produced the ESPN Player Ratings.

Auction house withdraws 756 HR ball bounty  —  Heritage offered $1 million prize for Bonds' HR ball  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The prospect of a melee in the stands prompted a prominent auction house on Monday to withdraw a $1 million bounty on Barry Bonds' career-record homer baseball.

Twins' offense cries out for another bat  —  As the Twins consider trade options to bolster their inconsistent lineup, their focus appears to be adding a designated hitter or third baseman.  —  As the Twins consider trade options to bolster their inconsistent lineup, their focus appears …

Up next for Clemens?  Meet the Mets  —  DETROIT — Roger Clemens will make his second 2007 start Friday against the Mets at Yankee Stadium, Yankees manager Joe Torre said yesterday.  —  Mets manager Willie Randolph said the Mets will be ready.  —  "He looks the same to me," …

A proven shyness of big splashes  —  Jim from Highlands Ranch: Will Rox ever again splurge? … Troy - I know it's still a ways away, but give me one realistic free-agent possibility, if there even is one.  Thanks a lot.  — Jim L., Highlands Ranch  —  Jim - The Rockies …

Twins Avoid Sweep Against Nats  —  Dmitri Young stood at home plate as the latest ball scorched off his bat tailed toward the seats in the upper deck in right field at the Metrodome.  The shot was towering, and there was just one question in the first inning Sunday afternoon: Fair or foul.

Rallying Rangers unravel in 12th  —  twills@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - For all these two-out, ninth-inning rallies, the Rangers remain what they are - the team with the fewest wins in baseball.  —  A night after a two-out rally in the ninth inning gave them their most dramatic victory of the season …

Braves earn testy 5-4 win over Cubs  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Bobby Cox insists he has no animosity toward the Chicago Cubs.  Lou Piniella said he feels the same way about the Atlanta Braves.  —  The reality, however, is that each manager oversees a pitching staff that keeps hitting batters on the other team.

Rogers solid in Triple-A rehab start  —  Rehabbing left-hander working toward return to Tigers  —  TOLEDO, Ohio — One day after a more famous Roger finalized his comeback — maybe you've heard of him, a certain Mr. Clemens of the Yankees — the Tigers' own version of Mr. Rogers took another step in his return.

Mets ask El Duque to right the ship  —  New York (36-25) at Los Angeles (35-28), Monday, 10:10 p.m. ET  —  Orlando Hernandez has typically been known as a pitcher who can eat up innings and advance late into games.  This season doesn't appear to be any different for Hernandez, even at 37 years old.

Sopranos: You Don't Hear it When it Happens  —  On Sunday, at MetsBlog, I referenced my love for HBO's The Sopranos, which ended its six-season run last night.  Since late last night, I have received several e-mails asking me to post a review of last night's series finale.