FEELING THE STRAIN  —  LEFT LEG STILL SORE POINT FOR DL'D ALOU  —  Moises Alou had an MRI yesterday, and the pain in his strained left quad isn't going away.  —  The Mets said the MRI revealed that the quad continues to have "inflammation and soreness."  —  "Nothing's better," manager Willie Randolph said.

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.

Ex-ESPN analyst Reynolds gets job at MLB.com  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Harold Reynolds was back talking about baseball Tuesday, hired as a broadcaster by MLB.com while he pursues his lawsuit against ESPN.  —  Reynolds sued ESPN in October, contending he was wrongly fired after a female intern complained …

The Story of O  —  How did Omar Minaya, the major leagues' first Hispanic general manager, turn the Mets back into contenders?  By welcoming one and all into his ever-expanding circle  —  Once upon a time, in a castle he had rebuilt from ruins, there lived the most fortunate of men.

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 …

Helton in Boston but as a visitor  —  Potential trade to Red Sox fell apart during offseason  —  BOSTON - Ever since the schedule came out, Todd Helton knew he would be playing in Fenway Park this week.  He just wasn't sure whether he'd be playing for the home team or the visiting team.

Greetings from Fenway  —  Greetings from an overcast Fenway Park, where the Red Sox (40-22, first place AL East) will host the Colorado Rockies (31-32, fourth place NL West) in an interleague contest.  RHP pitcher Aaron Cook (4-2, 4.54 ERA) will oppose Sox starter Tim Wakefield (5-7, 4.22).

Report: Dunn on the market  —  GM mum on story that says Reds want to trade slugger  —  digg us!  del.icio.us!  —  Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky on Monday declined to comment on an SI.com report saying the Reds have put outfielder Adam Dunn on the market.  —  The story, written by Jon Heyman, cited league sources.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

BREAKING DOWN THE YANKEE BULLPENS  —  I keep hearing how the Yankees' bullpen is their great Achilles heel, but having watched this team for the past seven seasons, I have to disagree.  Sure, some of the relievers have struggled and might be less than perfect (Vizcaino, Farnsworth) …