Smoltz may be facing shoulder surgery  —  Braves expected to discuss veteran's future at news conference  —  ATLANTA — John Smoltz has said that he'll be content if he never throws another pitch.  Now, just two days after he attempted to alleviate stress on his shoulder with a move to the bullpen …

Mock Draft 2008  —  With 24 hours to go before the selections begin, the draft remains a muddled mess, making the process of doing a mock a series of hedged wagers.  “This is easily one of the most unpredictable first rounds I've ever seen,” said one team official.

JOBA IS STOPPED FOR JAY-WALKING  —  CHAMBERLAIN'S STARTING DEBUT BRIEF; YANKS FALL FLAT  —  It wasn't very pretty for Joba Chamberlain.  It was simply disappointing.  —  With back-page hype and a sellout Bronx crowd on hand, Chamberlain's starting debut was far from a huge success last night.

Newest Yankee Just Tries to Blend In  —  Dan Giese had never been to Yankee Stadium before Tuesday, when he showed up five and a half hours before game time.  Giese wanted to see the sights, and he noticed a group taking a tour of the ballpark.  He tagged along a few feet behind, careful not to step out of line.

Early miscues doom Perez, Nats in loss  —  Lefty leaves with tendinitis in twice rain-delayed game  —  WASHINGTON — By the 16th pitch of Tuesday's game with the Cardinals, starter Odalis Perez and the Nationals were in big trouble.  —  Perez hit one batter and gave up a three-run homer and an RBI double …

Sorry, Mac, but it's time for Mariners to release Sexson  —  LISTENING TO JOHN McLaren dutifully protect Richie Sexson, I wished I had the Mariners manager on my side in the principal's office after I broke a school window.  Not only would the episode shift from intentional to accidental …

Marlins option Tankersley to reduce 'pen  —  Reliever was 0-1 with a 7.16 ERA in 23 appearances this season  —  ATLANTA — The Marlins on Tuesday night optioned left-handed reliever Taylor Tankersley to Triple-A Albuquerque.  —  The team has been carrying 13 pitchers …

Zell on Cubs, Leno in last leg of tour  —  Tribune Co. expects to retain a minority interest in the Chicago Cubs when it sells control of the major league ballclub.  It also wants to talk to top-rated late-night comedian Jay Leno, whom NBC plans to replace next year as host of “The Tonight Show.”

David Ortiz hopes time, cast heals wound  —  Sox face life without DH  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  If time, Mother Nature and a massive immobilizing cast on his left arm are enough to do the trick, David Ortiz [stats] could be pain-free and ready to think about playing baseball again by early July.

Nats to become even more ‘green’  —  Club to host program for environment on Wednesday  —  WASHINGTON — Major League Baseball's most eco-friendly park will get a little more so on Wednesday when the Washington Nationals host “Get Your Green On,” a one-night program encouraging their fans to be more environmentally conscious.

Dos and don'ts of Joba's transition … It's not as if Joba Chamberlain doesn't know what the first inning feels like.  —  It's not as if the Yankees have asked him to hit cleanup, right?  It's not as if they're trying to convert him to a catcher or something.