Joba to return tonight  —  Word here at Camden Yards is that Joba Chamberlain will rejoin the team in time for tonight's game against the Orioles.  —  He has not pitched since April 10 but did throw to a catcher twice while he was in Nebraska attending to his father.

Source: Farns to be suspended for throwing at Manny  —  Kyle Farnsworth may have said he didn't throw at Manny Ramirez intentionally Thursday night, but apparently, Major League Baseball believes otherwise.  —  According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Farnsworth …

Assistant GM talks draft, farm system  —  Mike Arbuckle has been with the Phillies since 1992 and has been the team's assistant general manager since 2001.  —  He has helped draft and develop the team's core talent of Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Brett Myers and Cole Hamels.

Thomas benched for time being  —  Designated hitter, mired in early slump, frustrated with decision  —  TORONTO — Frank Thomas received an unexpected call into Blue Jays manager John Gibbons' office on Saturday morning.  The message was that the omission of the designated hitter's name …

Free Agent Stock Watch: Ben Sheets  —  It looks like Ben Sheets made the right decision by signing a four-year contract with the Brewers after his spectacular 2004 season.  The then-25-year-old tossed 237 innings to the tune of a 2.70 ERA, striking out 264 to just 32 walks, with a WHIP below 1.00.

Game 19: Yankees at Orioles  —  YANKEES  —  Notes: Joba is in the air and headed this way.  They hope he will arrive in time for the game.  Presumably, Edwar Ramirez will be sent back. ...  Kyle Farnsworth claimed he was surprised that he was suspended and denied any bad intentions when he threw at Manny Ramirez.

Rays claim Johnson on waivers after release  —  (04-18) 21:18 PDT — The A's couldn't hang onto Dan Johnson any longer.  —  Though there hadn't been any opportunity for the first baseman/designated hitter to play this year, the team waited as long as it could before taking him off the big-league roster.

Cantu disputes woman's claim  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Third baseman Jorge Cantu and his agent both insist a domestic violence matter won't interrupt his season.  —  According to the St. Petersburg Times, Cantu has a Wednesday court date in Pinellas County stemming from a temporary protection order filed against him earlier this week.

Astros pick up right-hander Soler  —  Club, Cuban pitcher agree to terms on one-year contract  —  Houston continues to mine the free agent market, looking for any available, experienced arm.  To that end, the Astros have agreed to terms with right-hander Alay Soler on a one-year deal.

Cubs win eighth straight over Pirates  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Derrek Lee's already three months ahead of his home run pace of last season.  So what's the deal?  —  Now that the power has returned to his swing, everybody wants to know what the difference is with the Chicago Cubs star.

Dodgers drop second in a row at Atlanta  —  Andruw Jones homers and Billingsley strikes out nine, but the right-hander gives up four runs in the fifth inning and the Braves take a 4-1 victory at Turner Field.  —  Andruw Jones hit his first home run and Chad Billingsley struck out nine …

Young complies with manager, cuts hair  —  First baseman's ‘special barber’ trims bushy locks in Miami  —  MIAMI — Nationals manager Manny Acta, concerned that injured infielder Dmitri Young's big, curly Afro was becoming too much of a distraction, told the injured first baseman …

Cubs recall Murton from Minors  —  Infielder/outfielder Patterson optioned to Triple-A Iowa  —  CHICAGO — Matt Murton strode into the Cubs clubhouse for the first time this season, but he had no place to go.  —  Eric Patterson was still clearing out of Murton's prospective locker …

Hey, you, calm down  —  A few notes for those of you on the ledge:  —  * The Yankees have played 18 straight days.  Kids making shoes in factories in Third World countries don't work 18 straight days.  —  * The following players have missed games because of injury: Andy Pettitte …

Angels' Hunter OK after his high-priced car is hit  —  Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Torii Hunter was smiling and joking during batting practice and preparing to play the Seattle Mariners last night.  —  He wasn't grinning a few hours earlier, when his new car was rear-ended at a stop light near the ballpark.