AUDIO: VALENTIN EXPECTS TO MISS AT LEAST SIX WEEKS  —  Middle infielder Anderson Hernandez was expected to join the Mets from Triple-A New Orleans after Jose Valentin suffered a fractured tibia in his right leg.  He's batting .280 in 97 games with the Zephyrs and had steadily raised his average …

Jury's in on Bonds  —  Feds eye Fall indictment  —  The grand jury investigating Barry Bonds has been extended for another six months, several sources familiar with the government's case have told the Daily News, and the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco is confident it will have enough evidence …

SOURCE: D'RAYS WOULD TRADE TY FOR PROCTOR  —  Earlier this week the Devil Rays believed it would take more than Scott Proctor for the Yankees to pry utility man Ty Wigginton away from them.  Now, according to multiple sources, the Devil Rays would make the trade.

Rockies report, July 21  —  Three keys  —  Key moments in the Rockies' 3-1 victory against the Washington Nationals on Friday night at RFK Stadium:  —  1 The Rockies scored three runs without a hit.  Matt Holliday had a bases-loaded fielder's choice followed by a Todd Helton sacrifice fly in the third …

Glaus dangled in trade waters  —  While Troy Glaus was saying the other night in New York that he hasn't heard anything about being traded, other scouts have.  "The Jays are telling teams they'll move him," said a National League scout.  "I wouldn't say they are exactly pushing …

Fan robs Cabrera with hat grab  —  MIAMI (AP) — Florida Marlins fan David Fridkin might have robbed his favorite player of an extra-base hit Friday night.  —  With the Marlins leading Cincinnati 4-2 in the sixth inning, Miguel Cabrera hit a drive to deep right field.

Sternberg still backing Maddon  —  NEW YORK - Manager Joe Maddon seems to get most of the criticism for the Rays' struggles.  But he got a strong endorsement Friday from his boss, as principal owner Stuart Sternberg said he likes what Maddon is doing and how he is doing it.

Saito's shoulder still feeling tight  —  Dodgers closer Takashi Saito's availability was questionable for the second game in a row Friday night because of tightness in the back of his right shoulder and his neck, an injury trainer Stan Conte said is typical of pitchers and not a major concern.

Lofton doesn't reject left or right field  —  What he doesn't want right now is retirement  —  ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Still playing after all these years.  Who would have guessed?  Not Kenny Lofton.  —  ``No,'' Lofton said Friday.  ``It's kind of weird.''

Backman's team walks off field, forfeits  —  MACON, Ga. (AP) — As a player, Wally Backman was always up for a scrap.  After his minor league team got into a tussle Friday night, it simply went home.  —  Backman had already been ejected much earlier when his South Georgia Peanuts walked off …

O's, Bedard ace A's  —  Left-hander allows one hit - a homer - in 7 innings  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - As his scoreless-innings streak extended through the middle innings last night at McAfee Coliseum, Erik Bedard was creating even better theater.  He hadn't allowed a hit through 5 2/3 innings.

JoeChat  —  Welcome to the 955th post here at Fire Joe Morgan, Inc.  —  You know, people always ask me, "Ken, why is it called 'Fire Joe Morgan?'  Why not 'Fire Tim McCarver,' or 'Fire Bruce Jenkins,' or 'Help Us Save "Jericho!  "'?" Well, it's simple.  Yes, there are a lot of terrible analysts out there.