YANKS SUMMON GONZALEZ FOR SHORTSTOP  —  HE, NOT BETEMIT, WILL TAKE JETER'S PLACE  —  KANSAS CITY — The Yankees don't know how long Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada are going to be out with leg and shoulder problems, respectively.  —  What they do know is that Alberto Gonzalez, not Wilson Betemit …

Jordan Schafer and Growth Hormone  —  I'm heading out the door to catch a plane to Memphis, so I don't have much time.  But, I want to briefly comment on the 50-game suspension of Braves prospect Jordan Schafer for violating MLB's drug policy in regard to human growth hormone.  I'll offer a few thoughts.

A hero's welcome  —  Buckner gets love at Fens … One of the symbols of Red Sox [team stats] Nation's past frustrations was welcomed back with open arms yesterday.  —  With a packed house at Fenway cheering his every step, Bill Buckner slowly walked in from left field …

Dan Johnson designated  —  From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser in Toronto  —  Quick note: Dan Johnson's agent, Bobby Barad, tells me that the A's have just informed the first baseman that he has been designated for assignment.  That means they have 10 days to put Johnson on waivers, trade him or release him.

Smith set to make Majors debut vs. Jays  —  Oakland (4-4) at Toronto (4-3), Wednesday, 4:07 p.m. PT  —  Left-hander Greg Smith will make his Major League debut on Wednesday night when the Athletics visit the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.  —  Smith is taking over for injured starting pitcher …

Ouch: Floyd to DL, too  —  The injuries just keep coming for the Rays, with the news Wednesday that DH Cliff Floyd will have surgery Friday to repair a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee.  —  Floyd will be placed on the 15-day DL and replaced on the roster by OF Justin Ruggiano.

Billingsley off-kilter in first start  —  Once again, big early hole foils Dodgers against D-backs  —  PHOENIX — Joe Torre offered up last week's rain-delay fiasco as one explanation for Chad Billingsley's poor first start Tuesday night, but the young right-hander wasn't making excuses after getting beat.

METS POISED TO SIGN VARGAS  —  The Mets are the frontrunners to sign free-agent right-hander Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract, and a deal could be done as early as tomorrow, The Post has learned.  —  Vargas' agent, Bean Stringfellow, told The Post today that the Mets have offered Vargas …

Second of Molina's two home runs gives the Giants a 3-2 win over Padres  —  Bengie Molina could get used to hitting game-winning home runs.  —  “To see those guys waiting for you at home is just amazing,” Molina said after hitting his second homer of the night with one out in the 11th inning off Cla Meredith …

Strawberry added to SNY team  —  Darryl Strawberry's role with the Mets continues to grow.  —  After announcing last month that the long-troubled former slugger would be an outfield coach in spring training and “special ambassador” after that, the Mets have added Strawberry to broadcasts on team-owned SNY starting later this month.

Chat with Phillies 2B Chase Utley  —  Welcome to The Show!  On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will stop by to chat about the new MLB season.  —  Utley is off to a fast start to 2008.  Through eight games, he is hitting .357 with three home runs and a .486 OBP.

Phil Hughes' Mechanics: What's The Deal?  —  When you are the youngest pitcher in Major League Baseball and being touted as the future ace of the New York Yankees, I suppose that it is normal to be under the microscope at all times.  And, boy has Phil Hughes been under the microscope.

Crasnick: Past slow starters who found their mojo … Barely a week into the season, the baseball version of “Campaign 2008” has a jumbled, upside-down feel to it.  Dennis Kucinich is a fundraising machine, Ron Paul leads in pledged delegates and Sam Brownback has vowed to take this thing …