Jason Giambi and his magic gold thong  —  The key to turning the Yankees season around could be under Jason Giambi's pinstriped pants.  —  The Yankee slugger revealed Friday he slips on a gold lamé thong with a flame-line waistband when he's trying to get out of a hitting slump - and he's shared it with his teammates.

Van Halen is back, and so is Byrnes' bat  —  Homer and single accompany change of tune  —  Now catching, the Music Man . . .  Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder made a command decision before Friday night's game that the best way for Eric Byrnes to break out of a hitting slump was to change …

Marlins announce Ramirez deal at site of new park  —  MIAMI — A brand new ballpark.  A star player with a long-term contract.  —  Times are changing for the Florida Marlins.  —  The Marlins formally announced the $70 million, six-year contract extension of shortstop Hanley Ramirez …

Randolph's fate is on the clock ... calendar  —  Just as any team would in a similar scenario, the Mets already are evaluating their manager, holding internal discussions about Willie Randolph and his players' lackluster start to this crucial 2008 season.  Determining whether he needs to be replaced and …

Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Torre doesn't mind that he was left off the coaching staff for the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.  He might not have accepted an invitation anyway.  —  “I'm with a new team now,” Torre said Friday night …

Game 43: Mets at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  METS  —  Andy Pettitte (3-4, 4.40) against the Mets hitters.  —  Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10) against the Yankees hitters.  —  Back later with updates.  —  * * * * * * * * * * A-ROD REHAB UPDATE * * * * * * * * * *

Okajima injury adds to Red Sox' pitching woes  —  BOSTON — Not only do the Red Sox need a starter for Tuesday's game against the Royals since Clay Buchholz is on the disabled list, the club's bullpen took a big hit yesterday, too.  —  The Red Sox have decided to shut down reliever Hideki Okajima …

'It's Orioles magic'  —  Olson hangs in, bullpen excels as O's win 3rd in row, 6th out of 7  —  The Orioles' starting pitcher clearly lacked his best stuff and admittedly spent most of five busy innings last night in damage control mode.  The team ran itself out of several innings …

Tripling his Werth  —  Phillies rout Jays behind outfielder's three homers, eight RBIs  —  PHILADELPHIA — A chilly, steady rain persisted during a 55-degree Friday night that grew colder with every pitch.  —  The weather and lopsided score didn't matter to most of the 36,600 fans …

A-Rod rehab update  —  Just got the word from Yanks' PR on Alex Rodriguez from today's extended spring training game.  —  Rodriguez, who is coming back from a strained right quad, was 1-for-4 with a home run off Tampa Bay left-hander David Price, last year's No. 1 draft pick.  —  Want more details?

John's 2008 Draft Board (As of 12 Noon, May 17)  —  Here is a look at my current draft board.  THIS IS NOT A PREDICTION OR PROJECTION OF THE FIRST ROUND.  This is my current personal opinion of these players.  This will continue to change as we approach draft day and some players …

White Sox fire 3 scouts following investigation  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—The Chicago White Sox fired director of player personnel David Wilder on Friday along with two other scouts in the club's Latin American operation.  —  Victor Mateo and Domingo Toribio also were terminated …

Cardinals disable Jason Isringhausen  —  Rookie Chris Perez purchased from Memphis (AAA) roster  —  ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have placed pitcher Jason Isringhausen (right hand laceration) on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of rookie pitcher Chris Perez from Memphis (AAA).