New York Mets designate Nelson Figueroa for assignment; call up Casey Fossum … NEW YORK — Talk about your all-time worst parting gifts.  —  Less than an hour after Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Mets said bon voyage to the pitcher who threw six solid innings for them.

Kemp homers twice as LA's streak hits eight  —  Hudson, Ethier each add three RBIs as Dodgers rout Rockies  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Joe Torre's words before the Dodgers played the Rockies on Sunday proved prophetic.  —  He spoke about seemingly never-ending innings …

Brad Wilkerson retires after eight-year career  —  PAWTUCKET — After an eight-year major-league career, outfielder Brad Wilkerson has retired, said Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson.  —  After Pawtucket's second game of the season, Wilkerson went into Johnson's office and told him that his time in baseball was done.

Jorge Posada homers, Yanks split first series at stadium  —  NEW YORK — Pinch-hitter Jorge Posada's drive to right in the seventh inning was ruled a two-run homer by video replay, and the New York Yankees spoiled former teammate Carl Pavano's return with a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

The Bullpen Gets Blown Up  —  After today's loss, Manny Acta came into the manager's interview room.  He was seething.  He sat down and said, “I think it's embarrassing.  I think it's unacceptable.  I think our fans have every right to be mad, like we are right now.  And it's not going to be tolerated.

Ozzie fires back at Swisher's shot  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Nick Swisher spent one forgettable season on the South Side.  —  But that should have been plenty of time for the New York Yankees outfielder to figure out that taking any sort of slap at White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen …

Adjustments pay off for LaRoche  —  Pirates third baseman credits hitting coach for improvement  —  PITTSBURGH — After doubling his season hits total with a single on Friday, third baseman Andy LaRoche handed some of the credit to hitting coach Don Long, who spent time tweaking LaRoche's stance earlier …

Big Unit flirts with no-no in win No. 296  —  Johnson beats former team in first start vs. D-backs  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Asked the standard question about whether teammates ignored him as his no-hit bid lengthened Sunday, Randy Johnson prompted laughter from reporters by saying, “I think they ignore me anyway.”

It's time for a major shake-up  —  It's one thing to suffer an avalanche of ill fortune.  It's another thing to let it bury you.  —  No other team in baseball, or any other sport, has been blindsided the way the Angels have in the first two weeks of the season.

Bard and Rivera optioned to Syracuse, Ledezma and Shell designated for assignment  —  Nationals to select Zimmermann and Wells & recall Mock and Bergmann tomorrow  —  Following today's game, the Washington Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Saul Rivera and catcher Josh Bard to Syracuse …

Whitesell drives in six at Triple-A  —  Homers twice, provides all of Aces' offense in loss  —  When Josh Whitesell stepped into the batter's box for his first at-bat Saturday, he admitted he could feel an extra surge of adrenaline.  There was something special about digging …

Jones hurts hamstring  —  Outfielder: injury not serious but heÂ'll sit out Monday  —  BOSTON - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was removed from Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox with a tight right hamstring, an injury he said wasn't serious but will keep him out of Monday's series finale at least.

Pedro and Mulder ready to return  —  Veteran free agent pitchers remain on the market  —  Established starting pitcher, anyone?  —  The 2009 season is now almost two weeks old, and, for different reasons, former aces Mark Mulder and Pedro Martinez are still jobless.  —  For Mulder, it's injury.

Hold off on pitching change  —  Peavy and Padres like where they are now  —  The simplest thing for Jake Peavy and Padres general manager Kevin Towers would be for this surprising little start to continue through the trade deadline and perhaps the season.  If that should happen …