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."

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 …

Lee, Pence, Oswalt lift Astros over Nats  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer, rookie Hunter Pence added a tiebreaking solo shot, and Roy Oswalt made his first relief appearance in more than a year, helping the Houston Astros edge the Washington Nationals 4-2 Tuesday night.

Midseason Prospect Update: Top 100 Update  —  We've now watched teams play nearly 90 games since our preseason Top 100 prospects list debuted in March.  As we pass the midseason point, we figured it was time to take a snapshot of which Top 100 prospects have improved their stock and which ones are on the slide.

Rest easy ...  ... Chip Ambres in the house.  Check out the details from this Mets release:  —  The New York Mets today placed infielder Damion Easley on the bereavement list and selected Chip Ambres' contract from New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.  Ambres will wear #36 and will be available for tonight's game.

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.

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.

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.

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.