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.

Angels send struggling Santana to minors  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Struggling right-hander Ervin Santana was sent to the minors by the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, a day after he was shelled by Tampa Bay and lost his fifth consecutive decision.  —  Santana fell to 5-11 with a 6.22 ERA in 19 starts.

Giants lose again without Bonds  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Just when it seemed Matt Cain could do no wrong, the Chicago Cubs came up with the kind of breakout innings that have landed them right back in the NL Central chase.  —  Carlos Zambrano pitched five shutout innings to become the National League's …

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].

Rolen leaves team to have shoulder examined  —  The Cardinals' tattered lineup took another hit today when third baseman Scott Rolen left the team in Florida and returned to St. Louis to have his left shoulder examined by team physician Dr. George Paletta.  —  Rolen also will receive …

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.

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 …

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.

Still in jail, Bonds' trainer refusing to testify  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds thinks he has it rough these days?  —  While the San Francisco Giants slugger shows signs of strain as he struggles to hit five more home runs and become Major League Baseball's career home run king …

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 …

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 …

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 …

(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.

Under The Knife  —  Novocaine  —  No time for an intro today.  I'm headed over to have a filling replaced, made more complex by the material that has to be used.  It's all part of the glamorous life of an injury analyst.  Yeah.  —  Powered by novocaine and John Coltrane, on to the injuries:

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.