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.

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.

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].

Bonds sits again, Cubs rip Giants 12-1  —  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 …

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: Clubhouse influence overrated  —  Sure, Julio Franco had his moments with the Mets.  He even had a few this year.  He just didn't have enough of them to prevent his release.  Franco signed today with the Braves, which wasn't really a surprise.  —  However, what was a surprise …

While Bonds nears record, trainer still jailed  —  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 …

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.

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 …

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:

Keep an eye on these potential impact players … An American League executive predicts lots of exploratory phone calls and very little dish-rattling movement approaching the trade deadline, unless the Houston Astros suddenly decide to run up the white flag and make Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge available.

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.