Tavarez called to duty again  —  Los Angeles (71-51) at Boston (74-49), Sunday, 2:05 p.m. ET  —  Here he comes again, his arm ready for whatever abuse is needed.  —  Julian Tavarez is one of baseball's rare physical specimens, a career reliever who can join a starting rotation after a four-year break …

Notes: Guillen offers new spring plan  —  Danks battling despite struggles; Thome starting to find stroke  —  SEATTLE — Those fans watching Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland or Javier Vazquez pitch during Spring Training 'B' Games on the back Minor League fields in Tucson last year might …

The book on Joba  —  Father and son write pitcher's next chapter  —  Two fields stood across the street from Joba Chamberlain's house in Lincoln, Neb., one grass, one gravel, and on summer evenings, kids from across the whole neighborhood in the northeast part of town would gather outside to play baseball.

D-backs happy despite Sunday's loss  —  Team satisfied even with 12-strikeout defeat to Braves, Smoltz  —  ATLANTA — They didn't come away with a win on Sunday, but the D-backs flew home to Phoenix still feeling pretty good about themselves.  —  Arizona dropped a 6-2 decision to Atlanta on a hot …

Steinbrenner can't buy his way into Hall of Fame  —  George Steinbrenner's health is deteriorating, and that's unfortunate.  Before he dies, some people would like to see the New York Yankees' owner inducted into the Hall of Fame.  —  That's unconscionable.

Prospectus Q and A: Tim Raines by David Laurila  —  Tim Raines … David Laurila: Let's start with hitting.  I saw quotes from Curtis Granderson recently, where he talked about catching the ball out front rather than staying back and letting it get deep.  What are your thoughts on that?

Notes: Kearns to shift to center field  —  Veteran outfielder should be a good fit in his new position  —  WASHINGTON — In order to get a better defensive alignment in the outfield, manager Manny Acta decided to put Wily Mo Pena in right field, Ryan Church in left and Austin Kearns in center.

Utility man turns off Rox power  —  Todd Helton gave the Rockies a late lead with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, but Jorge Julio gave that right back to the Dodgers by allowing a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.  Jeff Francis struck out seven in six solid innings of two-run ball …

Beltran powers Mets to sweep of Nationals  —  WASHINGTON - Carlos Beltran homered twice and drove in four runs and the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 8-2 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.  —  Orlando Hernandez allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings for the Mets, who have won four straight overall.

Rizzuto's Secret of Youth Lasted for Years  —  The obituaries said Phil Rizzuto was 89 when he died last week.  That's because the baseball encyclopedias said that Rizzuto was 89.  And the encyclopedias said Rizzuto was 89 because that's what Rizzuto said.

Dye Agrees To Extend His Stay  —  OF Jermaine Dye yesterday agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract extension to stay with the White Sox through the 2009 season.  —  There is also a mutual option for 2010.  —  Dye, the MVP of the 2005 World Series, could have been a free agent at the end of this season.

Baltimore (57-64) at Toronto (62-60)  —  Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons believes Roy Halladay is as dominant as ever on the mound.  That does not bode well for the Baltimore Orioles.  —  Halladay looks to win his fourth straight start when he takes the mound against one of his favorite opponents …