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 …

Pricey seats at new Yankee Stadium a Bronx bomb  —  NEW YORK - At the new Yankee Stadium, the best seats in the house have turned out to be the emptiest.  —  The most expensive spots in America's costliest ballpark have become an embarrassment packing a financial sting to the proud New York Yankees …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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,” …

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.

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.

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 …

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.