Why wasn't Joba in?  Depends who you ask  —  Joe Girardi said that Joba Chamberlain wasn't available because he pitched two innings on Thursday.  What was left unsaid is that Chamberlain is injured.  —  Chamberlain has not physically been in the bullpen for two days as he receives treatment …

Heated rivalry nears boiling point  —  Houston's interpretation of Adam Wainwright's message fastball thrown behind the back of catcher Brad Ausmus on Saturday was about as subtle as the pitch itself.  —  “I thought it was intentional, yes,” Ausmus said.  “Wainwright shook …

Davey Johnson tells of Mets days, steroids and Olympic dreams  —  The manager of the U.S. Olympic baseball team is a familiar, craggy-faced man whose life has known soaring triumph and unspeakable tragedy and who, across five decades in locales ranging from Baltimore to Atlanta, Tokyo to Flushing, has had a diamond life like few others.

The man behind Manny  —  Agent Boras discusses the change in Ramírez  —  We start our report this week with a few questions for agent Scott Boras regarding the change in Manny Ramírez's personality, his conditioning, his desire to play at least four more years …

Baseball beat: Hall of Famer Palmer a big fan of Yankees' young pitchers  —  in focus, by peter abraham  —  Jim Palmer was 19 when the Orioles called him up to the majors in 1965, and he became a full-time starter a season later.  He can relate to the experiences Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy …

Morris, Pirates could be parting ways  —  Van Benschoten to be recalled after 8-4 loss to Phillies  —  The Matt Morris matter, one way or another, should come to a head today.  —  The Pirates will recall starter John Van Benschoten from Class AAA Indianapolis this morning and, thus, must make another move to clear roster space.

Mets' Molina not related to catching's 1st family  —  Gustavo Molina, who made his Mets debut yesterday, is not one of the catching Molina brothers.  —  Please stop asking.  —  “Everywhere I go, I get that question,” Molina said before going 1-for-3 with a walk in the Mets' 4-3 win over the Braves.

Redman + Dodgers = 10-run inning  —  LA bangs out six hits in first, the last being Kemp's grand slam  —  LOS ANGELES — The Rockies gave Mark Redman a two-run lead going into the bottom of the first inning Saturday.  But Redman endured one of the worst innings imaginable, giving up 10 runs to the Dodgers.

Volquez emerging as top-flight pitcher  —  Cincinnati (10-15) at San Francisco (11-14), Sun., 4:05 p.m. ET  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The last time Edinson Volquez matched up with Barry Zito, both pitchers were in the American League and Zito was the dominating pitcher.

Peavy pitches the idea of acquiring the ageless Lofton  —  Jake Peavy's next start is Sunday, but the Padres' ace made an unscheduled pitch on behalf of Kenny Lofton yesterday.  —  “I like Kenny,” Peavy said of the unemployed outfielder.  “I think he'd bring a dimension to this ballclub …

Rockies demote Nix, move Helton  —  LOS ANGELES — With his club stumbling, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle shook things up in a big way Saturday.  —  The club designated second baseman Jayson Nix for assignment, called up reliever Jose Capellan from Triple-A Colorado Springs to shore up an overworked bullpen …