Red Sox's Lester reveals father has cancer as well  —  Less than a week after Boston Red Sox pitcher and cancer survivor Jon Lester tossed a no-hitter, the left-hander told ESPN's Erin Andrews that his father has cancer.  —  Lester said his father John was diagnosed with lymphoma last month …

Hurts just keep comin' for Rox  —  Matt Holliday strains a hamstring in the ninth inning; N.Y. has a field day against Jeff Francis.  —  The Denver Post  —  The Rockies are in a world of hurt — on the scoreboard, in the standings and in the training room.

Harper: Ax Randolph?  Omar deserves share of blame  —  DENVER - Some 12 hours after the Mets had fumbled their way to another exasperating loss, Willie Randolph was sitting in his office Saturday morning, joking with reporters that he'd just seen Omar Minaya sharpening a machete in a back room here at Coors Field.

Funnier things have happened  —  OAKLAND - By the sixth inning of a game in which he hadn't allowed a hit, it dawned on Justin Duchscherer: Before the game he kidded with infielder Donnie Murphy that he might “pull a Lester” and throw a no-hitter.  —  As it turned out, he didn't because David Ortiz stroked …

Mariners president backs his staff  —  Armstrong says McLaren, Bavasi not in danger of losing jobs  —  NEW YORK — Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said on Saturday that general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren are in no danger of losing their jobs.

Nationals sign infielder Reese  —  Veteran to help with Minor League development in Columbus  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals signed infielder Pokey Reese to a Minor League contract on Saturday.  He will report to Triple-A Columbus.  —  Reese, 34, is a veteran who played in the Major Leagues for eight seasons.

Jones sits with back spasms  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Chipper Jones was not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Arizona due to back spasms, but said he would be available to pinch-hit.  —  Jones, hitting .417 to lead the major leagues, said he first felt the back pain below …

Andruw to have knee surgery  —  Dodgers outfielder will head to DL, miss four to six weeks  —  LOS ANGELES — After an unsuccessful pregame workout Saturday, Dodgers outfielder Andruw Jones decided to undergo surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Notes: Turnbow's woes multiply in minors  —  Brewers won't release still-struggling reliever  —  Washington - Even though Derrick Turnbow's control problems have gotten worse since he was demoted to Class AAA Nashville, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said there are no plans to release the embattled reliever.

Notebook: Millwood back by Friday for Texas Rangers  —  Team says he's ready to be activated after two-week DL stint  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  CLEVELAND - Right-hander Kevin Millwood threw 65 pitches in a simulated game and a bullpen session Saturday and was proclaimed ready to rejoin …

Piazza might catch break in bid for Hall  —  Observations, opinions and musings from this week in Major League Baseball.  —  Mike Piazza, one of the greatest underdog stories in baseball history, announced his retirement last week after 16 seasons in the major leagues.

Ellis makes it clear - he likes team he's with  —  (05-24) 20:06 PDT — Mark Ellis has said several times dating back to last season, before his 2008 option was exercised, that he would like to stay in Oakland.  And the A's would like him back: General manager Billy Beane has spoken …

Koshansky hits for cycle as Sky Sox win  —  First baseman Joe Koshansky became the fourth Colorado Springs Sky Sox player in franchise history to hit for the cycle Saturday during his team's 11-4 win over visiting Tacoma.  Seth Smith, who was called up to play with the Rockies, did it last against Las Vegas on Aug. 17, 2007.