Can't snap out of funk  —  Hernandez unable to hold 3-0 lead as Mets drop 7th in last 8  —  LOS ANGELES - It appears that the Mets' recent malaise  —  is a little more troubling than one lost weekend in Detroit.  —  In an effort to turn the page, manager Willie Randolph delivered …

Ex-ESPN broadcaster Reynolds hired by MLB  —  Former Baseball Tonight anchor to debut Tuesday  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Fired by ESPN last year, former major leaguer Harold Reynolds was hired as a broadcaster by MLB.com.  —  Reynolds sued ESPN in October, contending he was wrongly fired from a $6 million …

Rowand, Sox share a mutual attraction  —  PHILADELPHIA — He's still in Philadelphia, and he has been rumored to be headed to San Diego in a trade.  —  But one can't help but think that somehow, some way, Aaron Rowand will be wearing a White Sox uniform on Opening Day next season — if not sooner.

Notes: Nationals promote prospects  —  Daniel, Marrero, Maxwell, McMillan rewarded for great stats  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielders Mike Daniel, Chris Marrero and Justin Maxwell and first baseman Brett McMillan have made tremendous progress for Class A Hagerstown …

Lester to continue work in Triple-A  —  Left-hander, recovering from cancer, working towards return  —  BOSTON — The clock is now officially off on Jon Lester's Minor League rehab assignment.  The Red Sox optioned the talented left-hander to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday …

Ramirez goes on DL with bad knee  —  Aramis Ramirez's knee injury turned out to be more serious than the Cubs originally believed, forcing him to the disabled list for the first time since he missed the final month of the 2005 season.  —  Cliff Floyd was reinstated from the bereavement list Monday and took Ramirez's roster spot.

Another Buss steers into drama  —  With Jerry, Jim and Jeanie Buss all speaking out about Kobe Bryant in recent weeks, it leaves Janie and Johnny as the only Buss family members not to voice an opinion on the matter.  Oh, wait.  Make that just Janie.  —  Johnny Buss, the oldest son …

New Yankee Stadium won't have the best seats in the house  —  I'm no fan of the New Yankee Stadium.  While I understand the economics behind the Yanks' desire for a new stadium, I don't see the problem with Yankee Stadium.  —  I know I'm not alone, but Yankee fans have been underwhelmingly quiet about the new stadium.

All-Time Lead Glove Awards  —  I call it the Michael Jackson list-they wear a glove on one hand and nobody knows why.  The Lead Glove Awards list the worst fielders currently in the game, but who are the worst of all time?  Though it's always a matter of opinion, here's a look at the slowest …

BIG UNIT SKIPS TRIP TO BRONX  —  Yankee fans, you won't be seeing the ornery lefty this week.  —  Randy Johnson hasn't made the trip to New York for this week's Diamondbacks-Yankees series, eschewing a chance to revisit the numerous wonderful highlights of his Yankees career.

Slumping Batters  —  With a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers Monday night, the New York Mets have now lost seven of their last eight games.  During this time, they're getting on base at a .302 clip.  Up until the start of this streak, the high scoring offense posted a .349 OBA.  And it's a result of not walking.

Optimist's glass half-empty  —  Hard to find a bright side in Mets' recent struggles  —  Ugh.  —  The Mets go a week and a half without any real offense to speak of, then put up seven runs on back-to-back nights only to have their pitching — which had been stellar — fail them.