Cubs acquire A's Kendall  —  The Chicago Cubs, looking for help at catcher, acquired Oakland's Jason Kendall on Monday.  —  The Cubs will send catcher Rob Bowen and minor league pitcher Jerry Blevins to the A's for Kendall.  —  Before Monday's game against the Giants, Bowen was designated for assignment.

Bonds scratched from lineup against Cubs  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Barry Bonds needed a physical and mental break in a big way.  —  The slumping slugger was scratched from San Francisco's starting lineup Monday night, letting him rest his aching legs and giving him time to focus on something besides his latest funk at the plate.

Brewers place Sheets on disabled list … MILWAUKEE // The Milwaukee Brewers placed pitcher Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a sprained finger on his pitching hand.  —  The right-hander was injured Saturday during his start against Colorado.  Sheets, who turns 29 on Wednesday, said he "felt something pop, snap."

Prospectus Today  —  Grab Bag  —  Working through some of the stories listed on this page, word-that-rhymes-with-slog style...  - Dodgers recall D.J. Houlton.  I note this only because Houlton is a pitcher I've liked for some time, going back to when he was taken by the Dodgers in the 2005 Rule 5 draft.

Mets OF Alou homers in 1st rehab game  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets outfielder Moises Alou homered in his first rehab game Monday and said he is only one or two weeks away from returning to the majors.  —  The 41-year-old left fielder has been out since tearing a quadriceps muscle in his left leg on May 12.

Red Sox's Gabbard 3-hits Royals 4-0  —  BOSTON (AP) — Rookie Kason Gabbard pitched a three-hitter for Boston's second shutout of the season and the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 with the help of three homers Monday night.  —  Making his fourth start in place of injured Curt Schilling …

Notes: Mitchell getting Sheff special  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  When former Sen. George Mitchell interviews Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield, he should take two aspirin and keep stronger medication handy.  —  Sheff is going to give Mitchell and the rest of Major League Baseball's steroids investigators a headache.

Millar doesn't want to be dealt from O's  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Kevin Millar would rather help the Baltimore Orioles become a winner than join a club that already is one.  —  As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears, it's a sure bet the Orioles will be fielding offers for Millar …

Mailbag: Did Henderson best the Mets?  —  Reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  I saw the statistic you wrote about — that Rickey Henderson had led off the first inning with a home run more times by the time he played with the Mets in 1999 than the Mets had in their history.

Not for $35 million a year  —  Rodriguez not worth what agent is asking — but Yankees will pay  —  Is Alex Rodriguez worth all the trouble?  Perhaps not, MSNBC.com contributor Michael Ventre writes.  —  Imagine for a moment that you're a multi-billionaire, and you have a craving for a candy bar.

Chicago vs. San Francisco  —  GameCenter  · Full Play-by-Play  · Box Score  · Recap  · Game Chart  · Photos  · Live Commentary (Glog)  —  GIANTS 1ST  —  Rich Hill pitching:  —  Strike looking, Foul, Roberts struck out looking.