Yankees sign Sidney Ponson  —  The Yankees just announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson to a Triple-A contract.  Presumably, this means Ponson will report to Scranton, but it would seem likely that he'd get a shot in the Yankees' major-league rotation soon.

New York Yankees and Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment to open year-round Hard Rock Cafe in new Yankee Stadium  —  Yankee Global Enterprises to partner with Hard Rock to create NYY Steak  —  The New York Yankees announced today that they have agreed to enter into a long-term agreement …

M's meet to discuss Sexson's future  —  A source within the organization says team is planning to release the first baseman soon.  —  SEATTLE — Struggling first baseman Richie Sexson's time with the Seattle Mariners could end soon.  —  One day after general manager Bill Bavasi was fired …

WILLIE RANDOLPH: I DESERVED BETTER … Ousted Mets manager Willie Randolph complained today that he “deserved better” than being unceremoniously dumped in the middle of the night and that he was fired “way too early.”  —  The manager was sacked yesterday at 3:15 a.m. New York time in the GM's suite …

Rays beat Cubs again, Zambrano injured  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—With every victory against contenders like the Chicago Cubs, the Tampa Bay Rays gain a little more confidence.  —  “It validates that we are a good team,” manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday night after the surprising Rays held off …

Mariners' pick for GM will reveal path  —  This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready ...  Howard Lincoln's eyes were flashing fire on Monday.  —  This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready — indeed, aching — to try a new way.

Toxic time for Astros, and that's bad  —  If you've spent a few minutes in the Astros' clubhouse these days, you'd feel bad for the boys.  —  “It's real bad in here,” a player told me as soon as I got into the clubhouse Tuesday to try to get an unbiased opinion to the comments I read …

J.D. Drew Worth The Money  —  When J.D. Drew signed his 5 year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox, they were destroyed by national media writers such as Bill Simmons who pushed the narrative that Drew was an unclutch loser who couldn't perform under pressure and wasn't any good even when he was healthy.

Chatting with Sandy Alderson (Part 3)  —  This is the third of a three-part interview (Part 1 is here; Part 2 is here) with San Diego Padres CEO Sandy Alderson.  Big thanks to Mr. Alderson for taking time out of his busy schedule to make himself available, and also to his assistant …

Reuniting Zito with old coach makes sense  —  (06-17) 20:09 PDT — Rick Peterson was Barry Zito's pitching coach through the pitcher's best years in Oakland.  Now that Peterson is unemployed, would it not make sense for the Giants to hire him as a special instructor to work with Zito and help right him?

Sox matinee today  —  Today is a day to soak in the Celtics win, but the Red Sox have some unfinished business in Philadelphia this afternoon as they try to take the rubber game of a three-game set with the Phillies.  —  The Sox will send rookie Justin Masterson (3-1, 2.90 ERA) to the mound in 1:05 p.m. start.