Mets calling up Vargas for start tomorrow  —  Major news out of New Orleans today: Surfing the Mets has learned that the Zephyrs scratched Claudio Vargas from his start today, signaling they've reversed course and will promote him to take the start tomorrow against the Nationals.

Gossage: There's no room for Joba's antics in MLB  —  Hall of Famer Goose Gossage has some issues with New York Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain's expressive celebrations on the pitcher's mound.  —  “There's no place for it in the game,” Gossage told reporters Monday during a tour of the Hall of Fame, according to MLB.com.

NAKED CAME THE PITCHER  —  America's retro-park craze has yet to reach Japan's shores.  There is no Camden Yards here — half the teams in Nippon Professional Baseball play in domed stadiums, including the Fighters.  Built in 2002 for soccer's World Cup, the Sapporo Dome has foul territory …

Nationals blow away Mets  —  Nelson Figueroa knows about bush league baseball.  After all, he's toured the world trying to resurrect his major league career.  —  But not until Monday night did Figueroa witness a truly amateurish display, the Mets pitcher suggested.

Under The Knife  —  Dirty Hurt  —  Mark Teixeira (3 DXL)  —  On the list of “things not to do in a contract year,” getting a case of back spasms is in the top ten. Teixeira suffered the problem in the first game of a doubleheader in an odd manner: he told Mark Bowman of MLB.com that he felt it first when covering the bag.

Cubs expected to sign Edmonds  —  The Cubs appear poised to sign veteran center fielder Jim Edmonds soon after he clears waivers Wednesday.  —  That would mean a demotion to the minors for touted prospect Felix Pie, who entered Monday with a .222 average and strikeouts in one-third of his plate appearances.

Chillin' in the American League … I sent that e-mail about two weeks ago to our internal list, and we had a discussion about whether what I was seeing—I watch way too much baseball—was real, whether it was a blip, and what the reasons for it might be.  The general consensus …

Astute analysis as always here at the SWB Yankees blog  —  “Very astute analysis, Chad.”  —  Those are actual words from the comments, and I want to remind you of them because I'm about to look like an idiot. … What I do know, thanks to a text message good friend John Nalbone …

Struggling Patterson to stay atop lineup  —  Reds outfielder looks to break out of rough start to season  —  CINCINNATI — Based on his offensive numbers this season, putting struggling Reds center fielder Corey Patterson in the leadoff spot seems to be the equivalent of putting the square peg in the round hole.

What He's Seeing, and What He's Doing With It  —  Past experience can generate expectations.  Certainly, when they signed Rafael Furcal to a three-year, $39 million deal following the 2005 season, the Dodgers believed that the former Braves leadoff batter would provide a significant spark to their offense.

Tavarez is relieved of duty  —  Hansen makes him expendable  —  Manny Ramírez rips homer No. 498 in the first inning, but it would be Boston's only highlight.  (eric miller/Getty Images)  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen were eating lunch in the restaurant …

Tigers' Jacque Jones would like to head south  —  CINCINNATI - Given the opportunity to decide, outfielder Jacque Jones' first choice might be to join the Marlins.  That's what Jones, who the Tigers designated for assignment last week, told an associate.  —  For now, Jones has no control over his next destination.

A few injury updates  —  Whenever the Yankees play the Rays in St. Petersburg, the injured players on the 40-man roster who are assigned to the team complex in Tampa usually come by.  —  So here are some updates on those guys:  —  Jeff Karstens (groin strain): He threw three innings …