3 UP: Joba, Giambi/Abreu and Epstein  —  1. The Yankees are strongly weighing sending Joba Chamberlain to some form of extra pitching — likely either the Arizona Fall League or the Instructional League — as a way to further build his inning load this season to better prepare him to start in 2009, Hardball has learned.

DIVISION LEAD GOES UP IN CHOKE IN D.C.  —  WASHINGTON - History is repeating itself.  —  The gagging Mets can't deny it any longer after falling out of first place in the NL East and piling on more humiliation last night with a 1-0 loss to the last-place Nationals.

Bard has played his last for Padres  —  Team source says catcher won't be offered arbitration  —  DENVER — Catcher Josh Bard has played his last game of the season — and his last game — with the San Diego Padres.  —  Bard strained his right triceps on Monday, a relapse of the same injury …

Mets, Castillo heading toward messy breakup?  —  WASHINGTON - The Mets are likely to take a huge financial hit this winter if they are able to trade Luis Castillo and his $25-million contract.  But it's becoming more apparent that these two sides are heading for a divorce when this season is over …

Major League Baseball turns to Google on steroids issue  —  With funding from the league, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America will pay the Internet search engine for a prominent link to a website that discourages the use of steroids and provides informatio

Fans stealing Yankee Stadium mementos face arrest  —  Thinking about taking a piece of Yankee Stadium with you during the next few days of the final homestand at the House that Ruth Built?  Devising an elaborate, secretive plan to make off with something from the Stadium that you hope to one day tell your friends and family about?

Bedard to have shoulder surgery  —  KANSAS CITY — The saga of Erik Bedard's shoulder has been in the background of the Mariners season all summer.  —  Bedard, who hasn't pitched since July 4, has spent 2½ months trying to avoid surgery after suffering tightness in his left shoulder.

Cause For Concern  —  Ted Lerner sat in Nationals Park last night, as fascinated with his team and as optimistic about it, despite its 57-93 record, as he has ever been.  “Our objective has been the same since the first day,” he said.  “We are creating a fine organization from top to bottom …

Yost addresses dismissal on Tuesday  —  Former Brewers skipper talks to media about sudden ousting  —  MILWAUKEE — Ned Yost got through one big storm in May, and he wasn't even checking the weather this time around.  —  Yost said he was blindsided when the Brewers dismissed him as manager on Monday …

Cito's contract status means J.P. is staying  —  Sometime later on this homestand, the Jays will make official the news that Cito Gaston is returning as manager for 2009 and beyond.  —  “The coaches will know their status before we leave,” Gaston said with little fanfare, prior to last night's series opener against the Orioles.

One night down, the next game up  —  Rays own AL East lead after Navarro delivers walk-off win  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Go ahead and beat the Rays, and beat 'em up bad.  But you better show up the next night, because they aren't going anywhere.  —  A night after taking an ugly 13-5 loss …

Blake uncertain about return to LA  —  Los Angeles (79-72) at Pittsburgh (63-88), Wed., 4:05 p.m. PT  —  PITTSBURGH — Casey Blake heard about a written report claiming he wanted to return to the Cleveland Indians when he becomes a free agent after this season.

Cubs warm to idea of new park  —  There's no doubt the Cubs enjoyed their two-day stay in the Brewers' home clubhouse at Miller Park, and not just because they allowed only one hit in two victories over Houston.  —  After his no-hitter Sunday, Carlos Zambrano went as far as to say: “This is a beautiful ballpark.

Mets announce 2009 preliminary schedule  —  Inaugural season at Citi Field begins Monday night, April 13 vs. San Diego  —  FLUSHING — The New York Mets today released their preliminary schedule for the 2009 season, their inaugural year in Citi Field.  The Mets will open their home schedule Monday …

Jeter on Cano and Clubhouse Decorum  —  Two days before Yankees Manager Joe Girardi pulled Robinson Cano from a game for not hustling after a deflected grounder, I asked Derek Jeter how much blame Girardi deserved for Cano's regression as a player.  —  Jeter said that managers get blamed …

Sacramento tops in Triple-A again  —  River Cats shut down Yanks, repeat at Bricktown Showdown  —  OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Dynasties in Minor League Baseball are rare these days.  Sacramento, however, made a strong case to be considered one of those rarities Tuesday night at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.