Belliard signs with Nats!  —  The Nationals have signed infielder Ronnie Belliard to a two-year extension beyond this season.  —  I don't have terms yet, but will get them pronto.  TERMS UPDATE: A major leauge source with knowledge of the deal says it's a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

Rangers' price is high for Teixeira  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  In one version of the Braves' second-half blueprint, right-hander Jon Garland would have been their No. 3 starter, Yunel Escobar their shortstop and Mark Teixeira their first baseman.  —  A proposed trade of shortstop Edgar Renteria …

Clemens Gets a Lead and Doesn't Let It Go  —  It is hard to think of any series with the Kansas City Royals as a test.  But facts are facts, and when they faced the Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, the Royals were coming off series victories on the road against Boston and Detroit …

Willis improves, still gets loss  —  PHOENIX — Desperate to get pitcher Dontrelle Willis back on track, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez tried giving the struggling left-hander a new backstop Monday night.  —  But not even backup catcher Matt Treanor could help the D-Train get a win.

Bonds ex-mistress to discuss relationship, appear nude in Playboy  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds' former mistress, at the center of the government's perjury investigation of the slugger, said Monday she will discuss the couple's relationship in the November issue of Playboy magazine.

Time for a Redbird reality check  —  ATLANTA — Sometime this week Cardinals ownership will meet with its front office and dugout staff to determine whether this season is irreparably damaged or can be salvaged within a flawed division.  —  In other words, buy or sell.

Mourning coaches and players wonder about safety  —  They've all been hit, anybody who coaches the bases, and Mike Coolbaugh's death after being struck in the head by a line drive as he stood in the first-base box was a sobering reminder of what a dangerous job it is.

Lester a winner in Sox return  —  Lefty completes comeback with six solid innings vs. Tribe  —  CLEVELAND — Jon Lester walked into the visitor's clubhouse at 4:31 p.m. ET on Monday, made eye contact with batterymate Jason Varitek and simply smiled.  The left-hander had a game to pitch and he would be locked in shortly thereafter.

Ricciardi finds himself shooting down trade rumours  —  TORONTO — With plans to be neither buyers nor sellers as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Blue Jays still found themselves caught up in the rumour mill Monday.  —  General manager J.P. Ricciardi shot …

Hessman lifts Tigers over White Sox 9-6  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Curtis Granderson doesn't recall Mike Hessman being the type of hitter that blooped singles into the outfield when they played together in the minors two years ago.  —  Hessman hit a go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the seventh inning …

A's Reinstate Street from Disabled List; Designate Keilty For Assignment  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A's today reinstated right-handed pitcher Huston Street from the 15-day disabled list and designated outfielder Bobby Kielty for assignment.  —  Street was placed on the DL retroactive …

Notes: Nothing to report on trade front  —  Floyd to pitch second game of Tuesday's doubleheader  —  CHICAGO — Ken Williams didn't want to talk to the media on Monday.  —  It's not that he was avoiding the press, but instead, the White Sox general manager had nothing new to report …