Percival, Maddon downplay exchange  —  Rays closer tweaks left hamstring, pulled with two outs in ninth  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays' 5-4 victory on Monday was tempered by a growing concern for the health of Troy Percival.  —  The veteran closer entered the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead …

Halladay handcuffs M's, tossing four-hitter for 10th career shutout  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  SEATTLE — Even with five complete games already this season, Roy Halladay had a lingering feeling that a little piece of his pitching was lacking.  —  He found what was missing, at least on Monday night.

Dusty Baker Manages, Fails; Observes, Succeeds  —  It doesn't get much more painful for the keyboard-toting baseball enthusiast living in Mom's basement than the bottom half of the eighth inning of Monday night's Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game.  Down 3-2, the Reds pieced together a walk and a single …

Chavez plans return for Angels opener  —  Oakland (44-37) at Los Angeles (49-33), Monday, 7:05 p.m. PT  —  OAKLAND — A day after saying he was “befuddled” and “concerned” regarding the sore right shoulder that forced him to sit out his team's weekend series against the Giants …

Rockies report: Fuentes, Holliday on the trading block?  —  Several clubs with scouts following the Rockies say indications they have been given are Colorado will decide at the All-Star break whether to deal players.  And there are several players on the Rockies that teams are interested in.

Reynolds to return as baseball analyst for TBS  —  Harold Reynolds, off national TV since being fired by ESPN in July 2006, is back working on national TV.  —  Reynolds will debut Sunday as a studio analyst on a special where TBS will announce the All-Star Game rosters.

A-Rod to skip HR Derby  —  Alex Rodriguez may be the American League's leading vote-getter for this year's All-Star Game, but the reigning MVP has no plans on making it a two-day event.  —  Even with the All-Star festivities taking place in his home ballpark, A-Rod said he would not participate …

Former Red Sox GM, Pittsfield mayor face ethics charge over Series tickets  —  Former Sox general manager Daniel Duquette was raked over the coals by Red Sox fans for failing to get the team to the World Series.  Now he is embroiled in a state ethics controversy for allegedly selling Pittsfield …

Piniella says ump ‘ambushed’ him on Sunday  —  Ejection Sunday got ‘a little frustration out’  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Manager Lou Piniella said he was “ambushed” by plate umpire Rob Drake during his second-inning ejection Sunday night at U.S. Cellular Field, and claimed Drake “wasn't paying attention” …

Union Plans Grievance to Aid Chacon  —  Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released yesterday by the Astros, five days after a physical altercation with GM Ed Wade in the clubhouse.  —  Michael Weiner, the general counsel of Major League Baseball's Players Association, said the union planned to file a grievance today.

Oh, baby!  Manuel taps Castillo as Reyes' sitter  —  ST. LOUIS - Jerry Manuel didn't notice Jose Reyes tossing his glove after his errant throw to Carlos Delgado in the Subway Series finale on Sunday, and the interim manager doesn't expect to speak with the shortstop about the subject.

Bon Jovi to play free All-Star Week show  —  Legendary rockers to play for 60,000 in Central Park on July 12  —  NEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg listed from his podium the names of the great performances in Manhattan's Central Park, from Bruce Springsteen to Elton John to Dave Matthews Band to ... Simon and Garfinkel?

MADONNA AND A-ROD?  —  Whoa.  The next issue of OK! magazine, out tomorrow, contains a story that claims stripper-loving slugger Alex Rodriguez and African child-loving singer Madonna are (maybe) having an affair.  “Madonna and A-Rod—Sexy New Friends,” reads the headline.  From the story:

Nats lose Cordero for season with shoulder injury  —  MIAMI — Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero is out for the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.  —  Cordero will have surgery on the shoulder, which has been bothering him all season.  The date for the procedure has not been set.

Raissman: Andy in the Hall?  Buck injects doubt  —  On Saturday, Joe Buck offered evidence that Fox's upcoming telecast of the All-Star Game from Yankee Stadium might not be a midsummer night fantasy void of reality.  —  With the Mets batting in the fifth, and Andy Pettitte dealing for the Yankees …

Yanks Come Home and Go Quietly  —  Jason Giambi's tongue danced around the corners of his mouth Monday as he legged out his first triple in nearly six years.  The capacity crowd appreciated the 270-foot sprint by the 37-year-old slugger, cheering him on as if he were running for a gold medal.