Figgy clears waivers  —  Nelson Figueroa has cleared waivers, allowing him to return to Triple-A Buffalo.  He had a credible outing Sunday against the Brewers as a spot starter for Mike Pelfrey, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings, but was designated for assignment …

MiLB to take over Dodgertown complex  —  Vero Beach facility to be used year-round for variety of purposes  —  Today marks the start of a new era for one of Florida's oldest professional baseball facilities.  —  In a press conference Wednesday morning, it was announced that Minor League Baseball …

Stopping Dodgers may prove costly  —  Astros' Valverde pulls calf muscle when hit by line drive  —  HOUSTON — On paper, Tuesday night's matchup was overwhelmingly in the favor of the visiting Dodgers.  Their heralded 21-year-old left-hander, Clayton Kershaw, had a 1.50 ERA …

Daley arrives, Hammel joins rotation for Monday  —  PHOENIX — Matt Daley arrived to smiles and handshakes.  The reliever, who made a solid clubhouse impression during spring training, joined the Rockies today after catching a 6 a.m. flight from Reno.  Jason Hammel, meanwhile, caught a break.

Fans can register for 2009 MLB All-Star Summer tickets tomorrow  —  Taco Bell® All-Star Sunday, Gatorade® All-Star Workout Day, All-Star Game Tickets Available via Online Ticket Opportunity  —  MLB All-Star FanFest Tickets On Sale Now  —  Tickets for 2009 All-Star Summer events …

Revived Bullpen Helps Nationals Win Second Straight  —  To take a lead last night, the Washington Nationals relied on the most methodical component of their team.  To hold the lead, they relied on madness.  Last night's 4-3 win against the Atlanta Braves compressed the work of a patient offense with a pins-and-needles ninth.

Rocky start, solid victory  —  Four-run sixth negates fielding miscues, pitching woes  —  PHOENIX — Brad Hawpe and the Rockies proved Tuesday night that looking bad is not a permanent condition.  —  Hawpe has been the Rockies' most consistent hitter during a difficult start.

Keith Olbermann Hired by MLBAM.  Will Donate At-Large Salary to Charity  —  MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) announced today that it has hired anchor, sportscaster and journalist Keith Olbermann as an at-large columnist.  Olbermann's columns, currently available three times per week at keitholbermann.mlblogs.com …

Wood is here, now play him  —  So the Angels finally come to their senses and start calling around, finding out what free-agent pitchers might be available.  Better yet, they recall Brandon Wood from Salt Lake.  —  Except in Wood's case, they don't plan to play him.  They plan to sit him.

A's Holliday is open to playing in New York  —  There are certain requirements that come with this job, and one is this: Whenever you're interviewing an big-name, impending free agent, you must ask him whether he would consider playing in New York.  —  “Yeah, I would play here,” …

Red Sox beat Twins in rain-shortened opener  —  Tim Wakefield pitched a five-hitter for his second consecutive complete game and the Boston Red Sox [team stats] earned their sixth straight victory, beating the Minnesota Twins 10-1 in seven innings Wednesday as rain shortened the opener of a scheduled day-night doubleheader.

Pounding the pavement  —  Pedro, Big Hurt, Edmonds among the free agents still looking for work  —  As Major League Baseball continues its love affair with players so young they don't even need a Red Bull to get up for a game, a corresponding fraternity of veterans is feeling unloved, unwanted and — let's be frank — unemployed.

What to Do About Murphy?  —  ST. LOUIS - So, what now?  —  Maybe that's the question on your minds after Tuesday's 6-4 loss, another defeat triggered by a Daniel Murphy goof in left field.  He took full responsibility after dropping Cody Ross's fly ball on April 12, leading to two unearned runs …

Bucs sweep hot Marlins, Maholm improves to 3-0  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Adam LaRoche can't explain why he's gone from being the majors' worst hitter in April to one of its best.  All he wants to do is keep hitting like he's not supposed to during a month he and the Pittsburgh Pirates once dreaded.