Cashman should return to fix own mess after whiffing on pitching calls  —  Having seen what Johan Santana did for the Mets in September, a member of the Yankee organization Monday was privately lamenting GM Brian Cashman's decision not to trade for the brilliant lefthander when another thought seemed to strike him.

JOBA'S SHOULDER BEARS WATCHING  —  For the second time inside of two months, Joba Chamberlain experienced discomfort in his valuable right shoulder Sunday at Fenway Park.  —  According to several people, Chamberlain said the shoulder was tight after exiting the first game of the doubleheader …

Tips are quite valuable to Masterson  —  Justin Masterson keeps a small notebook at his house.  He jots in it observations and advice from teammates, “just to remember,” the Red Sox rookie reliever said.  —  The most helpful thing he wrote down came from Josh Beckett …

Sox want a ‘blackout’ for Tuesday  —  For one-game tiebreaker, team urging fans to wear all black  —  CHICAGO — A blackout coming in a city the size of Chicago usually leads to more than a fair share of worry and maybe a few dire circumstances.  —  That blackout takes on a completely different meaning …

Texas Rangers' Daniels shakes up coaches  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  A day after the Texas Rangers finished the season with the worst ERA, fielding percentage and the most catching errors in the majors, they made changes in all three areas.  —  Bench coach/infield instructor Art Howe …

Maddux trade keeps on giving  —  With Dodgers in playoffs, San Diego handed two top prospects  —  SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Greg Maddux's ability to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win the National League West Division has actually helped the Padres.  —  Because the Dodgers advanced to the NL Division Series …

Angels' K-Rod, Reagins should lead awards parade  —  The baseball award winners this year should include Frankie Rodriguez (but not for the award you might think), along with Ryan Braun, Cliff Lee, Tim Lincecum and Tony Reagins.  —  Recommend  —  And the winners are ...

Can't come up short on Jeter deal  —  Brian Cashman, or whoever the next Yankees general manager turns out to be, is going to be faced with an awfully difficult decision soon, perhaps as early as one year from now.  —  Remember that 10-year, $189- million contract Derek Jeter signed?

Letter to a Rookie  —  San Diego, CA.  92101  —  Dear Will,  —  The other day I received an e-mail from a writer who had interviewed me a couple of years ago for Black History Month.  We'd kept in touch, and he was writing to inform me of your promotion to the major leagues.

Brewers go with Gallardo  —  According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are going to throw young righty Yovani Gallardo against Cole Hamels in Game One on Wednesday.  A very interesting move.  Stuff wise, this guy is probably the second-best pitcher on the staff.

Lohse agrees to $41 million deal  —  The Cardinals and Kyle Lohse consummated a marriage of convenience Monday afternoon when the sides agreed to a four-year, $41 million contract extension.  —  The Cardinals clarified next season's starting rotation while pre-empting what is almost certain …

Home, sweet home  —  A.J. Pierzynski relishes the chance to face the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field instead of at the Metrodome and its artificial surface.  —  “You can ask Minnesota how much of a different team they are at home,” Pierzynski said.  “It won't be a concrete home plate like it was in Minnesota …

METS  —Sign free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Darren Oliver.  Bullpen sanity starts with an elite closer like K-Rod, while Oliver was a good long relief guy and popular teammate with the 2006 Mets.  Bid farewell to Luis Ayala, Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez and Scott Schoeneweis.

Martinez, Mussina Exits May Mark End of an Era  —  It's the end of an era in New York.  Forget the dual destruction of two long-standing baseball edifices in Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium; the end of the season may also have brought a conclusion to the careers of two fin de siècle pitching greats …

Indians close to picking player to complete CC Sabathia deal with Milwaukee  —  The Indians could complete the CC Sabathia trade today by selecting outfielder Michael Brantley or third baseman Taylor Green from Milwaukee.  The Indians get to make the choice because the Brewers …

Black, four Padres coaches returning  —  SAN DIEGO — Bud Black will return for the third season as manager of the Padres.  —  The team announced Monday that Black and four coaches will return next season.  Bench coach Craig Colbert did not have his contract renewed.