BOMBERS CONVENE TRADE  —  Just because nothing is hot on the trade front isn't going to keep Yankee brass from convening for meetings in Tampa.  —  General manager Brian Cashman arrived last night and was spotted watching Single-A Tampa play Clearwater in a Florida State League tilt.

Marlins insist Willis not on the market  —  PHOENIX One ESPN analysis of the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline touted Dontrelle Willis as perhaps the best available starter.  —  Here's the problem with that: Willis is not available.  —  The Marlins continue telling teams Willis is not up for discussion.

Courageous pitcher A-OK in triumph  —  CLEVELAND — If you have a shred of humanity, watching Jon Lester take a major league mound for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer in late August of 2006 and win a 6-2 decision over a tough Cleveland Indians lineup last night had to tug at the heartstrings.

Chamberlain, Kennedy promoted  —  The Yankees last night promoted right-handers Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain — their top two draft picks last year — from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  Both started the season with Class A Tampa.  —  There is some thought …

Martinez throws three simulated innings  —  Mets hurler will report how he feels on Tuesday  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets' baseball simulator was in use Monday, and so was Pedro Martinez.  Some of the mystery that recently had shrouded the rehabilitation of Martinez's surgically-repaired shoulder …

Pence out 4-6 weeks with injured wrist  —  MRI exam reveals small chip fracture; outfielder placed on DL  —  HOUSTON — With the Astros offense struggling for a fourth consecutive night, and the team falling to a season-worst 15 games under .500 after a 10-2 rout at the hands of the Dodgers …

Belliard Signs Extension  —  Other Nats Could Be Dealt as Trade Deadline Nears  —  At a time when much of the baseball world expected the Washington Nationals to be selling off their veteran pieces, the club's first move in the week leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline was to keep a player.

Selig to watch Bonds tonight  —  Bud Selig will be in attendance at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Tuesday night and said he will try to be in attendance for future games as Barry Bonds attempts to set Major League Baseball's all-time home run record.  —  "Out of respect for the tradition of this game …

Craig Biggio to retire after 20 seasons in baseball  —  HOUSTON — Houston Astros infielder Craig Biggio plans to retire at the end of the season after a 20-year career in which he joined the elite 3,000-hit club.  —  "I get to go out on top.  The 3,000th hit night was the best.

An Event for the Eternals  —  The Baseball Reliquary held The Shrine of the Eternals 2007 Induction Day on Sunday in Pasadena.  Yogi Berra, Jim Brosnan, and Bill James (shown shaking hands with me after the ceremony in the photo below) comprised this year's class of inductees.

Moises Alou's DL stay extended a few days  —  The Mets were hoping to activate Moises Alou for Tuesday's game with the Pirates at Shea Stadium.  —  But the leftfielder will have to stay on the disabled list for at least a few more days after injuring his right shoulder in his final minor league rehab game Sunday at Brooklyn.

Reyes's Plate Discipline Sees Unprecedented Strides  —  With two outs, a runner on second, and your team up 6-0 in the top of the first on the road, what would you do?  I won't lie — I'd hack away, trying to pad my numbers.  —  Jose Reyes is a better man than I, so when he found himself …

Rangers should offer a package deal  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - If the Rangers want to get the maximum value for some of their tradable commodities, it may make the most sense to package them in a bigger deal.  —  Almost every contending club is interested in a Rangers reliever.

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.