Ejected and dejected  —  I started covering the U of L baseball team almost two weeks ago, following them to Columbia, Mo., and throughout their amazing NCAA Tournament run.  —  I just wish I could have written about them today, when they clinched a spot in the College World Series and capped an unbelievable ride.

Pre-Game Notebook: Green is back  —  Shawn Green was activated from the DL and is in the line-up in right and batting second.  A local deli greeted him with two huge corned beef sandwiches waiting in his locker.  Green said he feels good and likes the idea of facing Dodgers lefty Randy Wolf tonight …

Harold Reynolds: Harold Reynolds Is BACK, Baby!  —  Harold Reynolds Is BACK, Baby!  —  Well, it only took almost a freaking year, but you're never gonna believe who finally has a new job, folks.  —  That's right: Your friend and ours, Mr. Harold Reynolds, out of a job since being fired by ESPN for now …

Surgery to end Milton's season  —  Left-hander to have ligament replaced in pitching elbow  —  CINCINNATI — It was learned on Monday that injured Reds starting pitcher Eric Milton will have season-ending ligament replacement surgery on his problematic left elbow.

Martin jumps to top of NL All-Star ballot  —  Catcher overtakes Lo Duca; Soriano replaces Bonds in OF  —  The latest National League All-Star team voting update has a distinct shade of Dodger blue.  —  According to the latest results released Monday by Major League Baseball for the 78th All-Star Game …

Notes: Ramirez placed on DL  —  Slugging third baseman eligible to return June 22  —  CHICAGO — Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, retroactive to June 7, to give him more time to heal his sore left knee, while outfielder Cliff Floyd was reinstated from the bereavement list.

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.

Sunday Starter  —  I mentioned a few days ago that the Dodgers — the team that came up with the five man rotation as a response to having an excess of pitchers — had a chance to be creative.  I invited readers to chime in with their ideas and we had some solid ones.  Subscriber Dan Graulich had the following:

Notes: Crede to have back surgery  —  Sox won't know how long he'll be out until after procedure  —  PHILADELPHIA — Joe Crede will undergo back surgery on Tuesday, performed by Dr. Robert Watkins, as announced by the White Sox after Monday's 3-0 loss to the Phillies.

Abreu back in the swing  —  Demanding Yankee followers wanted to know what the heck was wrong with Bobby Abreu when the season appeared on the brink last month.  —  Nothing, apparently.  —  Abreu's batting eye is as keen as ever and his swing as sweet again, as his white-hot June continued with a 4-for-4 …

Prospect Hot Sheet: June 11  —  For most pitchers Henry Sosa's last three starts would be outstanding: 3-0, 1.12 with 20 strikeouts in 16 innings piched.  But for Sosa they're actually below average.  Sosa saw his ERA climb to a still microscopic 0.76 easily the best in the minors.

Nats rekindle interest in Rays' Dukes  —  Teams have been talking for more than a week about rookie  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals have rekindled interest in Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the situation.  The news was first reported by FOXSports.com late Sunday night.

Trachsel rewards O's for faith in him … The Orioles are prepared for the phone calls to come as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches in late July.  Teams in contention for a playoff berth and trying to strengthen their rotation will inquire about pitcher Steve Trachsel.

NL West: Not just for emergencies  —  It was the once-a-decade event that haunts managers' psyches.  —  Save your backup catcher until the last possible moment, we're told, because you don't want to see him to get hurt and end up scrambling for an emergency backstop.