D'backs' Jackson on display for Sox?  —  An interesting thing happened on Monday night in Milwaukee: The Arizona Diamondbacks played their first baseman, Conor Jackson, in left field, only the second time in his big-league career he has played there.  —  According to MLB sources …

Royals notebook: Dodgers showing interest in Dotel  —  It appears the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the most serious party yet in the Royals' effort to seek an impact return by offering veteran closer Octavio Dotel before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.

Is trading Kendall a signal?  —  Swap with Cubs might be sign A's are looking beyond 2007  —  A's general manager Billy Beane isn't quite ready to wave the white flag, but he admitted that Monday's trade of catcher Jason Kendall could signal the team's focus has shifted partially to next year.

Larkin Watches, Nats Win  —  Barry Larkin's playing days are over, and he spends most of his time near his home in Orlando, where he is developing a post-baseball life and serves as a fringe member of the Washington Nationals' think tank.  But sit with Larkin even for a minute …

Mets start trip with a slip  —  Open Western swing by falling down Wells  —  SAN DIEGO - The Mets face a stern challenge to their two-month hold on first place in the NL East this week.  —  But even though they started their West Coast swing with a 5-1 loss to the Padres last night …

Padres' Bell credits cookies for success  —  SAN DIEGO — Aside from his ERA, former Met Heath Bell hasn't changed much since coming to the Padres.  When the affable Bell greeted a group of New York reporters yesterday he was wearing a T-shirt that read, "I'm in shape.  Round is a shape."

Moises blasts into action with home run in first rehab game  —  SAN DIEGO - Moises Alou took a step toward returning from the disabled list when he went 2-for-3, including a solo homer, and walked as a DH for the Gulf Coast League Mets in Port St. Lucie yesterday.

Notes: Marlins on pace for homer record  —  Club ranks fourth in the NL with 109 long balls  —  MIAMI — For a team that lacks a serious challenger for the home run title, collectively the Marlins are hitting the ball out of the park at a record pace.  —  After belting nine home runs …

Phillips Makes Case to Stay, and Igawa Doesn't  —  Andy Phillips homered in his first major league at-bat, in 2004, and it sometimes seems as if it has been all downhill since.  He has had an emotional Yankees career, learning hard the lesson that timing is everything.  Now, at last, it may be his time.

Dukes admits marijuana use … TAMPA - Troubled Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes admitted under oath Monday that he smokes marijuana.  —  After Dukes' estranged wife accused the ballplayer of doing the drug "on a daily basis," Hillsborough Circuit Judge Kevin Carey asked Dukes if he uses it.

Sheets will learn extent of injury  —  Ace put on 15-day DL for now  —  The Milwaukee Brewers will learn today if they're going to lose staff ace Ben Sheets for a couple of weeks or a more extended period.  —  In other words, when it comes to the middle finger on Sheets' pitching hand, club officials have their fingers crossed.

Saying no to Bonds  —  Sports memorabilia store refuses to sell any items of slugger  —  Barry Bonds was a no-go Monday night for the Giants, and his sports memorabilia is a no-show for at least one prominent Chicago-area sports shop.  —  Bleachers Sports, a sports memorabilia …

Jeter is too cool for his own good  —  NEW YORK - If history has taught us anything about Derek Jeter, it's that reading him is like monitoring the Kremlin.  In other words, good luck discerning how the captain feels about Gary Sheffield or the Yankees' relentless march towards mediocrity …

Agatha 'Pete' Doman: At 79, she bopped a Brewer to protect her beloved M's  —  Agatha Doman was a pastor's daughter, raised on sermons of love and respect and all things good.  She wasn't one to pick fights, though one Saturday night in the Kingdome, she didn't back down, either.

11's barely enough  —  CLEVELAND — Ozzie Guillen was under the impression that general manager Ken Williams' travel plans included joining the team in Cleveland for the three-game series with the Indians.  —  But with the 11-game road trip crawling along after a 1-3 weekend in Baltimore …