NY Mets have been in contact with Red Sox about Manny Ramirez  —  TRADE WINDS METS BUZZ  —  Contrary to the denials that made the rounds Monday, officials from both teams say the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez and are interested in pursuing a deal for him if Boston decides to make him available.

Teixeira trade talks revised  —  According to a National League source, Diamondback fans might not want to get too excited about the possibility of landing Mark Teixeira.  This source believes the Yankees, Rays and Angels are more likely to land the switch-hitting first baseman before Thursday's Trade Deadline.

Manuel: Tatis is our man in leftfield  —  MIAMI - As the Mets wait for Ryan Church and tread water on the trade front, manager Jerry Manuel made a bold statement yesterday when he committed to Fernando Tatis as the club's starting leftfielder for the immediate future.

Teams searching for a little relief  —  Bullpen help a hot commodity as Trade Deadline nears  —  The relentless search for relievers continued on Tuesday as contenders keep trying to pry bullpen arms away from sellers.  With Thursday's 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline approaching, some of the negotiations are reaching the crucial stage.

A WASH-OUT  —  YANKS' DEAL FOR M'S LEFTY IN JEOPARDY  —  Though the Yankees are saying otherwise, a potential deal for Jarrod Washburn isn't dead yet.  Not with so much time before Thursday's trading deadline remaining.  And Sidney Ponson and Mike Mussina getting pounded on consecutive nights …

Rockies trip after their all-star break run  —  De Los Santos, Grilli gone wild  —  PITTSBURGH — It has been a vibrant trip with a classic rock soundtrack.  It was beginning to feel like September again, a convergence of solo pitching harmonies and offensive guitar riffs.

Mahay going to Phillies?  —  Left-handed reliever Ron Mahay could be on the verge of heading to the Phillies.  —  According to clubs that have been speaking with the Royals, they've been having extensive conversations with the Phillies about a trade that would send Mahay to Philadelphia …

Texas Rangers play it cool when it comes to heat  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - The white board near the main entrance of the Texas Rangers' clubhouse included a brief reminder to players: “Temperature near 100 degrees or more.  Drink plenty of water.”

Dodgers fall short of picking up Kuroda  —  Comeback bid nearly erases hole dug by starter  —  LOS ANGELES — Long after Casey Blake and Joe Torre were done explaining their ejections Monday night and after the fan that jumped into the Giants dugout had been ejected and the parking lots had emptied …

Surgery to end Posada's season  —  Catcher to undergo procedure on ailing right shoulder  —  NEW YORK — Yankees catcher Jorge Posada will have surgery on his ailing right shoulder and miss the rest of the 2008 season.  —  When Posada was placed on the disabled list July 20 …

Burnett's fastball stays alive in Toronto  —  Hurler fans 10 Rays, ties wins mark at 12; GM says he's staying  —  TORONTO — Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi apparently wants to put an end to all the A.J. Burnett trade rumors.  So, while Ricciardi admits that Toronto is willing …

Chipper Jones returns to DL  —  Reyes demoted to make room for Morton, Sammons  —  On a day in which Chipper Jones and Tim Hudson were placed on the disabled list, struggling pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes was optioned to Class AAA Richmond and the Braves added pitcher Charlie Morton and catcher Clint Sammons from Richmond.

Cubs fans accused of beating White Sox fan  —  HUNTLEY, Ill. - McHenry County authorities say three Chicago Cubs fans face felony battery charges after allegedly beating a Chicago White Sox fan so badly he lost his right eye.  —  The men are accused of beating 32-year-old Robert Steele …