BLUE JAYS RELEASE DESIGNATED HITTER FRANK THOMAS  —  The Frank Thomas era in Toronto has come to an end.  —  TSN has learned that the 39-year old designed hitter has been released by the Blue Jays, one day after being benched as the teams' starting designated hitter.

Rollins Finally Lands on DL  —  The Phillies finally placed Jimmy Rollins on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle.  —  The move seemed obvious.  —  In fact, it probably should have been made earlier.  —  Rollins said he felt his ankle has improved a little every day, but it clearly hasn't improved enough.

A-Rod leaves game with strained quad muscle  —  As if the Yankees didn't have enough problems right now, they can now add Alex Rodriguez to that list.  —  A-Rod left Sunday's game against the Orioles in the sixth inning, heading to the clubhouse with a strained right quadriceps muscle.

Nomo designated for assignment  —  Career may be over for Japanese hurler attempting comeback  —  OAKLAND — Hideo Nomo, a pitching legend from Japan, was designated for assignment on Sunday, and his career may be over.  —  The move was prompted by the recall of pitcher Luke Hochevar …

New Boss Wants to See Chamberlain Start (Now)  —  With the Yankees off to a 10-10 start, and two of their young starters struggling, the Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said there was one thing in particular he would like to change: He wants Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees' hard-throwing setup man, to move into the rotation.

Moseley has another rough start in Angels loss  —  Seattle jumps ahead by four runs en route to a 4-2 victory.  —  It could be on to the next superstition for Dustin Moseley.  —  After his last start, a crummy four-inning outing against Texas on Tuesday, the Angels right-hander shaved …

Ramirez helps Cubs sweep Pirates again  —  CHICAGO (AP)—For one brief moment, a smile crossed Aramis Ramirez's face when he learned the Chicago Cubs took the lead in the National League Central.  Then, it disappeared.  —  The Cubs know how drastically fortunes can change …

Mets news and notes  —  Catcher Brian Schneider took a foul tip from Chase Utley squarely off his right forearm in the ninth inning, leaving a pair of fingers numb and significant swelling, but no apparent broken bones.  —  “It's just a lot of pain.  It doesn't have a lot of grip right now …

Apple loved to its very core  —  “Love it,” Strawberry says with a giggle.  “It's the Big Apple, you know?  I have a lot of fond memories of making that thing come up.  That apple has always been special to me - it means you've done something good.”  —  The apple is a nine-foot mass …

Injury derails A-Rod's trip to Miami  —  Plans to visit expecting wife on hold due to strained right quad  —  BALTIMORE — Alex Rodriguez's plans to spend the Yankees' off-day on Monday in Miami with his pregnant wife, Cynthia, were put on hold after the Yankees' third baseman sustained …