AMBRES CALLED UP TO BIG CLUB  —  The Mets temporarily will be without Damion Easley, who was put on the bereavement list yesterday and was replaced by Triple-A outfielder Chip Ambres.  —  Easley also wasn't with the Mets for Monday's game against the Padres.  The Mets reserve is with his father, Raymond.

Sanders likes thought of trade to the Sox  —  The trade talk is inevitable, and Reggie Sanders knows it.  —  The 39-year-old outfielder plays for the last-place Kansas City Royals, notching a double in three at-bats during their 9-3 win against the Red Sox [team stats] last night at Fenway Park [map].

(Fast) food for thought, Wednesday  —  1. Maybe I'll eat my words on this, but I think Ehren Wasserman will carve himself out a lasting niche in the White Sox bullpen if he gets a legitimate chance.  And why shouldn't he?  —  Wasserman's submarining style could make him a nice complementary part in a bullpen filled with power arms.

Where are the contenders for Tex?  —  I am a simpleton.  —  I did not play baseball beyond little league.  I did not graduate with honors in finance, economics, business administration or sports management.  I do not have a law degree.  —  So, this is my simpleton understanding …

Franco signs with Braves after release from Mets  —  ATLANTA — Julio Franco will get another chance to swing the bat in the big leagues.  —  The 48-year-old utilityman signed with Atlanta on Wednesday, rejoining the Braves a week after he was cut by the New York Mets.

Rays clear spot for Reyes … ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays made the first of what could be several roster moves over the next few days after Tuesday's win over the Angels, optioning left-handed reliever Jon Switzer to Triple-A Durham to make room for closer Al Reyes, who will be activated from the disabled list today.

Phillips in the Fifteenth  —  Brandon Phillips singles with two out in the top of the fifteenth to drive in two and put the Reds up 5-3 on the Braves.  An error by Johnson in the inning meant both runs were unearned.  The Braves are coming up trying to win or extend the game longer.

Yankees in wrong setup with Farnsworth  —  Kyle Farnsworth wasn't happy when Newsday approached his locker yesterday afternoon, and I'm pretty sure it's not because he hates Long Island.  At this point, the highly paid reliever regards virtually anyone with a media credential as the enemy.

Positional Rankings - Catcher  —  Like I did last year, I'm starting the positional rankings with catcher, and one thing quickly becomes clear: there is very little catching in the minor leagues.  In fact, it just plain stinks.  As in the past, I bounced these lists off many scouts and front office folks …

Does Jo-Jo have some mojo?  —  Isn't the great thing about baseball that you don't have to wait a week for a clean slate?  Just 24 hours.  And tonight the Braves get one with Jo-Jo Reyes on the mound.  —  After what happened to Kyle Davies Monday night - let me rip the scab off that wound …

Long-term deal: M's to be paying Ichiro until 2032  —  NEW YORK — The Seattle Mariners will be paying Ichiro Suzuki for at least a quarter century.  —  The All-Star outfielder's new contract extension calls for the team to defer $25 million of the $90 million he is owed …

Interview - (Part 1) Dick Moss - MLBPA Legend & Agent  —  In Major League Baseball history, there may not be a more seminal point in its history as the period in which the players organized themselves as a union, and started chipping away at the control that the owners had had over them since the dawn of professional baseball.

YANKS EYE BETEMIT  —  The Yankees tried to acquire Wilson Betemit at last year's trade deadline for Scott Proctor, and they are making the same attempt again this year.  —  Betemit's team, the Dodgers, had to move Chad Billingsley from the bullpen to the rotation, so they are now looking …

Chat with Baseball America's Jim Callis  —  Welcome to The Show!  On Wednesday, Baseball America's Jim Callis will chat it up with SportsNation.  Ask any question and he will try to answer - big leaguers, prospects, draft picks ... anything goes!  —  Send your questions now and join Jim on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET!