Lincecum out of hospital, but misses first ASG … NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Lincecum was hospitalized Tuesday with flulike symptoms, preventing the young San Francisco Giants star from attending his first All-Star game.  —  Lincecum was taken from his hotel to New York Presbyterian Hospital …

Matsui may opt for surgery to end year  —  Rehabilitation of Yankees outfielder's left knee interrupted  —  NEW YORK — Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui will cut short his rehabilitation and could be headed for season-ending surgery after experiencing more inflammation in his troublesome left knee.

Ichiro's speech to All-Stars revealed  —  NEW YORK - Piece by piece, the legend started to reveal itself.  —  “How do you know about that?”  Michael Young asked.  —  A whisper here.  A story there.  Something about the greatest pregame speech since Rockne invoked the Gipper …

Jonathan Papelbon says he should close All-Star Game instead of Mo  —  While the rest of baseball heaped praise on Mariano Rivera for his Hall of Fame career during Monday's All-Star media day, Jonathan Papelbon declared that he deserves to be the AL's ninth-inning man at Yankee Stadium Tuesday.

Randolph Returns to Place He Never Left  —  Willie Randolph watched the All-Star Game on Tuesday as a guest of the Steinbrenner family.  In a game whose attraction is its national reach, Randolph's presence provided local intrigue for an evening already laced with history and emotion.

Hamilton's power display defies explanation … NEW YORK — Even before Monday night, the Legend of Josh Hamilton was already an onrushing storybook train, building speed on its way to a Cineplex near you.  —  But that was before he brought his little magic show to Yankee Stadium, a place where legends are born.

Wearing nothing but a smile and a thong, a young beauty was on display at a hotel window overlooking the Rogers Centre field.  (DAVE ABEL/Sun Media)  —  TORONTO - Thank God for nostalgia.  —  Not only are the Blue Jays wearing their baby blues on Fridays, but the Rogers Centre …

Escobar's MRI reveals inflamed rotator cuff  —  Shortstop considered day-to-day  —  An MRI on Yunel Escobar's left shoulder has showed an inflamed rotator cuff, and the young shortstop is considered day-to-day, according to Braves spokesman Brad Hainje.  —  That's a breath of fresh air …

Worldwide draft likely postponed to '12  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Baseball owners likely will postpone any effort to institute a worldwide draft until their next labor contract with players begins in 2012.  —  Commissioner Bud Selig said interest in a worldwide draft has increased among management …

Gameday Live: 2008 All-Star Game  —  Ok, folks.  We are about 15 minutes from the scheduled first pitch of 8:39.  Have at it.  We'll give you plenty of blow-by-blow and second guess the managers ad nauseum.  —  Top of 1st: Cleveland's Cliff Lee had an easy 1-2-3 inning …

AMAZIN' PLANS  —  MINAYA MAY SKIP DEALS, PROMOTE FROM MINORS  —  THE METS are more seriously considering promoting from within (Fernando Martinez for the outfield, Jon Niese for the rotation, Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz if a bullpen arm is needed) then making a trade between now and the July 31 deadline …

ASG CONFIDENTIAL: Garcia, Milton, Bedard  —  The Yankees and Mets are among at least nine teams monitoring the progress of Freddy Garcia as he intensifies his workouts to come back from shoulder surgery.  Garcia will begin throwing breaking balls off the mound this week in...