Amid big expectations, just paper Tigers so far  —  The ashtray is filled with cigarette butts and the pack of Marlboros is sitting next to an empty bag of chips inside the visiting manager's office at Arizona's Chase Field, but Jim Leyland is just getting started.

Jeter hit by pitch on hand, day-to-day  —  Despite contusion, Yanks captain hopes to play Wednesday  —  NEW YORK — The thud of baseball hitting bone may have been something awful, but — no surprise here — Derek Jeter said he will be all right.  —  The Yankees shortstop was hit …

Piazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons  —  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Mike Piazza is retiring from baseball following a 16-season career in which he became one of the top-hitting catchers in history.  —  “After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent …

Mets' Church taken to hospital with concussion  —  ATLANTA — While trying to break up a game-ending double play, Ryan Church of the New York Mets sustained a mild concussion when his head banged into the right knee of Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar on Tuesday night.

Justin Masterson's 2nd start a winner  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  He thought it would be kind of cool to top Jon Lester [stats] by throwing a perfect game or maybe the second no-hitter in as many nights.  —  In the end, though, Justin Masterson was more than content …

Francoeur's consecutive start streak snapped  —  Slumping right fielder sits in nightcap of doubleheader  —  Jeff Francoeur's streak is over.  —  The Braves right fielder said it felt like a weight was lifted from his shoulders when manager Bobby Cox decided to rest him for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Yost furious over false report  —  Blog entry alleges that skipper to be dismissed  —  PITTSBURGH — A furious Ned Yost admonished media outlets for feeding what he called “a frenzy” on Monday over an erroneous blog report that he was to be dismissed.  —  “That's bull,” the Brewers' manager …

McCutchen called to Triple-A … Still haven't heard who's being sent down from New York to make room for Alex Rodriguez, but I'm starting to lean toward Chris Britton over Shelley Duncan.  Still a guess, though.  —  Miley said he still wasn't sure whether Juan Miranda would be placed on the disabled list …

Contreras, ChiSox best Sabathia, Indians  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Battered last season, Jose Contreras is getting payback these days.  —  Contreras outpitched C.C. Sabathia, and Jim Thome and Carlos Quentin hit solo homers to lift the Chicago White Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians …

Yanks, Mets likely bidders for Teixeira  —  They have, for reasons fair and unfair, become the symbols of what's wrong with New York's baseball teams.  Highly paid, once-great sluggers in the final years of huge contracts.  Jason Giambi and Carlos Delgado have started this year slowly …

Hank Steinbrenner weighs in on Lester  —  Yankees boss Hank Steinbrenner, who watched highlights of Jon Lester's no-hitter Monday night, said he hopes some of his younger pitchers can begin performing like Lester did.  —  “Obviously, a great, great story,” said Steinbrenner on his cell phone.

Did Yankees construction worker bury more Red Sox gear?  —  Just when the Yankees thought it was safe to move into their new stadium next spring ...  Evidently the rogue construction worker who buried a David Ortiz jersey in the fresh cement of the new building — since removed to much fanfare …