Royals give contract extension to Soria  —  Closer gets early birthday gift: a deal with options through 2014  —  MIAMI — Nice birthday present for Royals closer Joakim Soria.  —  Soria, who will turn 24 on Sunday, received a three-year contract extension through 2011 followed by three option years …

Girardi opens pan-Joba's box again  —  And Brian Cashman thought he was done with those chatty managers with a tendency to speak out of school.  —  The Yankees' general manager was mildly irritated last season when then-manager Joe Torre publicly disclosed the “Joba Rules,” …

Young Rays have passed Yankees in standings and in talent  —  Having spent a little time being both, I feel qualified to say this: Being young is better than being old.  —  Generally speaking, running is preferable to standing still, energy is better than entitlement and today is better than yesterday.

Red Sox offense getting up to speed  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  The Red Sox [team stats] still have their share of pitching questions as they plod along in this 2008 season, but here's the good news: Perhaps like at no other point in their recent history …

Secret papers show how Yankees became richest team in sports  —  The Yankees are floundering in the standings but the team's reputation as the money machine of American sports is as dominating as ever.  —  The millions of dollars earned by the Bronx Bombers - whose estimated $1.2 billion worth makes …

Marlins' Uggla riding offensive wave  —  Florida (24-18) vs. Kansas City (20-22), Sunday, 1:10 p.m. ET  —  MIAMI — Dan Uggla's offensive fireworks in May have placed him in elite company among Major League second basemen.  —  Going into Saturday's contest with Kansas City, Uggla …

They still have something left  —  Glavine and Moyer are wise old hands  —  The 40-something lefthanders were positioned at opposite ends of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, but you'd swear they had telepathy.  Tom Glavine, the Brave, Jamie Moyer, the Phillie, shared common concerns and outlooks.

FORMER YANKEE ELLIS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE  —  Dock Phillip Ellis' voice reveals how much pain he is in.  The former pitcher speaks slowly, haltingly about his battle with cirrhosis of the liver.  “It's pretty bad,” Ellis said...  A-ROD GOES DEEP IN FIRST REHAB GAME

Notebook: Hamilton ready for a break  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - Manager Ron Washington pulled Josh Hamilton aside in spring training and made it clear the slugger should tell him when he needed a break.  —  “He still reminds me even now,” Hamilton said.

A's end Braves' home winning streak at 8  —  ATLANTA (AP)—Jack Cust hit a solo home run and Ryan Sweeney added a three-run shot, and the Oakland Athletics held on to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Saturday night to end a season-worst four game losing streak.

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 …