PELFREY TO PEN PERFECT IN PINCH  —  THE Mets have an aching need in their bullpen, and Mike Pelfrey is the best man for the Joba.  —  Pelfrey does not have the overpowering stuff of Joba Chamberlain.  But he has the best combination of skills to re-enact for the Mets what Chamberlain …

Beckett's next start is delayed  —  Team wants to determine source of arm numbness  —  Josh Beckett's next start has been pushed back.  —  BALTIMORE - Because of the tingling and numbness that Josh Beckett has been experiencing in his right arm since waking up Sunday …

DROPPING OUT  —  DAMON, A-ROD BLUNDERS COST YANKS  —  TORONTO - Another small nail was driven into the Yankees' pinstriped coffin last night by a leather hammer that was Johnny Damon's glove.  —  With the return of Hideki Matsui as the DH, Damon has been transformed from DH/left fielder to full-time center fielder.

Ex-Yankees Irabu arrested for alleged assault  —  TOKYO (AP) — Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer, a police official said.  —  Irabu, 39, became angered after his credit card was rejected.

For One Night, Relief Is No Issue for Manuel  —  Once Carlos Delgado's two-run double off the wall in left-center put the Mets ahead of the Atlanta Braves by one run in the eighth inning Tuesday night, and the roar from the crowd of 50,589 had died down, the next question was a big one.

Harden-ed by his critics  —  Tired of ‘injury-prone’ label, Cubs right-hander just keeps mowing 'em down  —  Cubs right-hander Rich Harden wants to set the record straight.  —  Check that.  He specifically says he doesn't want to set the record straight.  It seems he has been there, done that enough times for his taste.

Latest injury may end Izzy's career  —  All-time Cardinals saves leader Jason Isringhausen walked away from the club Tuesday with what is believed to be a career-threatening torn flexor muscle near his right elbow.  —  Team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta confirmed the finding …

Thomas wants to return to A's in '09  —  Designated hitter believes young team is close to contention  —  MINNEAPOLIS — With 19 years of big league experience under his belt, Frank Thomas feels like he knows when he sees a team on the rise.  —  It is for that reason that he signed …

Yaz has triple bypass  —  Sox icon ‘comfortable’ after 6-hour operation  —  The greatest living Red Sox player, New England icon Carl Yastrzemski, underwent emergency triple-bypass surgery yesterday at Massachusetts General Hospital after being diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

All Hope Is Not Lost on Melky Cabrera  —  Poor Melky Cabrera.  Last Friday, just days after turning 24, the Yankees center fielder was sent down to the minor leagues, which must have been hard to take, coming as it did in his third full year in the majors.  Judging by my in-box …

Marlins Notebook: Pinto attributes recent struggles to ‘bad luck’  —  Pinto attributes recent struggles to ‘bad luck’  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Renyel Pinto was all smiles in the Marlins' clubhouse before Tuesday's game against the San Francisco Giants, hardly looking like a reliever going through a rough stretch

Bradley would like to return to Rangers in 2009  —  Milton Bradley's immediate goal is to get through the season, his first as an All-Star and the most productive of his career.  His priority after the season will be staying with the Rangers.  —  Bradley and general manager Jon Daniels confirmed …