Mets won't have Wagner back Monday  —  Closer doesn't respond well to simulated game conditions  —  PITTSBURGH — The Mets' problems with the bullpen will persist into next week.  Their expectation of having Billy Wagner return to active duty Monday will not come to fruition because he still feels tightness in his left arm.

We're talking pivotal figures  —  Contenders will be counting on these 10  —  The 10 key players for the stretch run, and a comment from a top American League executive:  —  1. John Lackey, Angels: It's great that the Angels have bolstered their offense with Mark Teixeira, but Lackey is their ace …

Girardi optimistic, but time running out  —  New York (65-58) vs. Kansas City (55-68), Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET  —  NEW YORK — In the early weeks of the 1996 season, Joe Girardi recalls heading home after a Yankees game and being greeted with a speech from his wife, Kim, offering encouragement and reasons to hold his head high.

Alonso: more than $4.55 million  —  OK, so here's the scoop, the breakdown of the contract the Cincinnati Reds gave No. 1 pick Yonder Alonso.  —  Mama, do let your babies grow up to be first basemen.  —  Alonso's contract is worth a little more than $4.55 million, with incentives.  —  The breakdown:

This is one fight Jeff Kent isn't going to win  —  Second baseman disagrees with Vin Scully, and just about everyone else, on reason for his recent success.  —  T.J. Simers  —  He's been cantankerous all week — like that's different than any other week, but he's really been Jeff Kent ornery …

ANOTHER DEREKTION  —  JETER MAY NOT BE YANKEE LIFER AFTER ALL  —  THE divorce rate in sports is getting higher and uglier, and we are not talking Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia.  —  Happily ever after has become tougher to find.  In the last year, Joe Torre, Shaquille O'Neal …

Breaking The $10 Million Barrier  —  The Red Sox spent in excess of $10 million on their draft, which may be a first in draft history.  —  Records for yearly expenditures by clubs are incomplete.  But while an exact total isn't available yet, it's certain that Boston's draft spending exceeded eight figures this year.

Ryan the Soothsayer Sees Great Things for the Cubs  —  ATLANTA — Ryan Dempster cradled the card deck as deftly and lovingly as he does baseballs.  He took the ace of spades from the top, shuffled it into seeming oblivion and removed a two of clubs off the top as proof.

Montero, Young slams power Diamondbacks  —  HOUSTON (AP)—Adam Dunn still hasn't homered for Arizona, but the rest of the Diamondbacks are hitting plenty since he arrived.  —  Miguel Montero and Chris Young hit grand slams—the first time Arizona has hit two in the same game …

Silva going on DL; Feierabend to start Sunday  —  In the wake of Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Twins, the Mariners confirmed that right-handed starter Carlos Silva is going on the disabled list.  —  Silva, who lasted just 3.1 innings Friday while giving up nine runs to Minnesota, is 4-14 overall and 0-5 in his last eight starts.

Chamberlain throws again; Matsui also rehabbing  —  NEW YORK — Yankees manager Joe Girardi was optimistic Saturday that injured right-hander Joba Chamberlain could be back soon, but a timetable still hasn't been set.  —  The same goes for designated hitter Hideki Matsui, who homered in Class A Tampa's doubleheader Friday.