3 UP: Met Pen, Yankee Pen and I-Rod  —  1. There are many categories you want your players to be among the league leaders.  This is not one of them.  The Mets have four relievers in the top nine in the NL in appearances: Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman (68 games) are tied for third …

Marlins Notebook: Struggling Uggla benched  —  PHOENIX — Second baseman Dan Uggla was blunt Sunday when asked how he prepares on days he's not in starting lineup.  —  “When you get benched?  Nothing,” he said.  “You just sit down, wear it.  Who knows?  At this point now, they're not days off.

Eddie Guardado dealt to Twins  —  From Evan Grant ...  Reliever Eddie Guardado has been traded to the Minnesota Twins, according to sources.  —  Update: The rest of the Rangers' moves today are on the jump in the official release from the team.

Look Ahead: K-Rod's talent in question as free agency looms  —  “He has one of those balls that just explodes on the hitter,” the AL coach said.  “It's right on you before you know it.”  —  The other stories to watch this week:  —  A chapter (likely) closes in the rivalry: Yes, it's true …

Might Sabathia be a Giant? … Vallejo, Calif. native CC Sabathia's first choice is to go home to play for the Giants, one executive who knows him well told SI.com.  —  It doesn't hurt that the Giants play in the National League, which Sabathia, 28, has grown to love while authoring …

Despite flaws, don't count Yankees out  —  It's so tempting to declare the Yankees' playoff hopes a lost cause because they've offered us no tangible reason to believe otherwise.  —  Their injury-plagued pitching staff is too thin.  Their lineup of former All-Stars and future Hall …

Outs Per Swing Exclusive Interview With Andrew Friedman  —  There are not many opportunities to ask the General Manager of your favorite team questions about the ins and outs of the organization.  Here at Outs Per Swing we were very lucky to have that opportunity.

Orioles welcome lucky 100 millionth fan  —  Ticket holder wins $100,000, season tickets for five years  —  BALTIMORE — When school starts in two weeks, there will be one teacher who has no problem getting her students' attention.  —  Velma Greene, a middle school teacher in Fairfax County …

YANKEES PONGED  —  IT would be tough for average Joes to beat a couple of Yankees at baseball, but slamming them in a game of beer pong was no sweat.  Last week, Jason Giambi and Joba Chamberlain were celebrating their win against the Kansas City Royals at Southern Hospitality, on Second Avenue …

Problematic Bullpen Gets Minor Makeover  —  The solution is neither certain nor quick.  But then again, certainty in Washington's bullpen departed long ago — perhaps when Chad Cordero lost his season to injury, perhaps when Jon Rauch got traded, perhaps when Luis Ayala became first ineffective, then expendable.

Look Ahead: K-Rod's talent in question as free agency looms  —  Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 50th save Sunday, and that means he has five full weeks to get the eight more he needs to top Bobby Thigpen's big league record.  Rodriguez is having a huge season for the Angels …

Cantu addresses young Mexicans  —  PHOENIX - The Mexican Little Leaguers were a victory shy of bringing home the title, but countryman Jorge Cantu is no less proud of them.  —  Cantu spoke to the team before Sunday's 12-3 loss to Hawaii in the championship game.

Mota has turned season around  —  I have to give reliever Guillermo Mota credit.  He has turned around his season with the Brewers.  —  In June and July, when no lead seemed safe with Mota on the mound, I admit no one was tougher on him than I was.  I even mentioned that he might get released …