Minaya explains Randolph's dismissal  —  Mets general manager: ‘I had to make a decision’  —  ANAHEIM — Shortly after Willie Randolph arrived back at his hotel on Monday night, fresh off a victory, Mets general manager Omar Minaya called him into his own hotel room.

Cubs call Murton back up, but only as trade bait?  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Cubs recalled Matt Murton from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and sent Eric Patterson back down, though they may just be showcasing Murton for a possible deal.  —  “We hated to send Patterson out, we really did,” manager Lou Piniella said.

Cubs' Soriano hopes to return for All-Star Game  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Alfonso Soriano said Tuesday he's hoping to make it back from his broken hand in time to play in the All-Star Game on July 15 game at Yankee Stadium, where he began his major-league career.

Johnson to make Class A rehab start  —  Right-hander advancing in recovery from Tommy John surgery  —  SEATTLE — Encouraged by a couple of Gulf Coast League starts, the Marlins are advancing Josh Johnson to pitching in games for Class A Jupiter in the Florida State League.

Carpenter gets upbeat news  —  Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter returned from his trip to Alabama for a second opinion on his right elbow with reassuring news that he shouldn't hesitate to restart his rehab.  —  “All of my tests were fine; my ligament and my reconstruction looks good,” …

Tigers' Renteria, Thames set milestones  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Marcus Thames has been hitting home runs at a rate that not even Barry Bonds could match.  —  Thames homered in his fifth straight game and Kenny Rogers pitched seven strong innings to help the Detroit Tigers beat the San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Who might replace Bavasi?  —  An ex-GM helps the P-I develop list of potentials  —  Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said Monday he has some candidates in mind to replace the fired Bill Bavasi as general manager.  —  He didn't name names, of course, but Armstrong is well connected after 25 years in the game.

Riske looks good in rehab assignment  —  Injured hurler may be set for return after another outing  —  MILWAUKEE — David Riske was very sharp in a 38-pitch simulated inning on Saturday afternoon, and he was even better in his rehab assignment Tuesday night for Triple-A Nashville.

Joba: Don't call me the Yankee ace  —  With Chien-Ming Wang shelved for a minimum of 10 weeks, one would think the Yankees need a new ace - and soon.  But as fiery as Joba Chamberlain is, he is not volunteering to be that guy just yet.  —  When asked Tuesday if he is feeling pressure …

A's rough up Arizona's Webb in 15-1 win  —  PHOENIX (AP)—The Oakland Athletics are in the wrong division.  —  Mark Ellis hit two home runs to lead a six-homer barrage as Oakland routed Brandon Webb and the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-1 on Tuesday night—the Athletics' fourth straight win over an NL West club.

CWS Game Eight: Fresno State 5, North Carolina 3  —  Bulldog bullpen shuts down Tar Heels to move to 2-0  —  OMAHA—So far, it's a Bulldog party in the 2008 College World Series.  —  Fresno State joined Georgia, which shares the Bulldog as its mascot, as the only two undefeated teams in the Series …