Game 9: Yankees at Royals  —  YANKEES  —  Notes: Jorge Posada has been diagnosed with a shoulder strain according to the KC team doctor and should only miss a few days.  It doesn't look like a DL.  He had the MRI sent to Dr. James Andrews for confirmation and the Yankees will have their doctors look at it as well.

Rollins won't play tonight  —  NEW YORK - Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins has been scratched from tonight's game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium because of a sprained left ankle.  Earlier in the day, Rollins had expected to play but he was taken out of the lineup after his normal pre-game stretching routine.

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.

Indictment: Agents steered clients  —  NEW YORK—A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday charged that unidentified agents for baseball players steered clients to a California physician linked in media reports to supplying Troy Glaus and Scott Schoeneweis with illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

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.

Tigers finally break into win column  —  BOSTON (AP)—The Tigers finally showed the offense that earned them preseason raves—and ended their winless start.  —  Detroit beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2 Wednesday night after scoring just 15 runs in losing its first seven games.

METS POISED TO SIGN VARGAS  —  The Mets are on the verge of signing 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 …

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.

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, was placed on the 15-day DL and replaced on the roster by OF Justin Ruggiano.

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.

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 …

Cards' Pujols confronts Astros' Backe  —  HOUSTON (AP)—St. Louis' Albert Pujols and Houston's Brandon Backe had a heated exchange as the Astros left the field after batting practice on Wednesday.  —  The exchange, which happened in front of Astros manager Cecil Cooper, lasted a few minutes.