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.

Maine wants to pitch but may have to be shut down  —  It's looking more and more as if John Maine's injured shoulder is going to give out before he voluntarily calls it quits for this season.  Maine was so determined to make Saturday's start against the Astros that he received a cortisone shot …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …