Identity crisis for newcomer O'Day  —  Rangers righty wears Gabbard jersey after joining team  —  TORONTO — To say Darren O'Day's Wednesday was a whirlwind of a day would be a massive understatement.  —  The right-handed reliever began the day looking for work, and by the end of it …

Figueroa plans to turn down trip to minors  —  ST. LOUIS - Nelson Figueroa plans to refuse an assignment to Triple-A Buffalo and declare free agency, ending the Brooklyn-born journeyman's tenure with the Mets, a source told the Daily News.  Figueroa, 34, had cleared waivers Wednesday …

BIG PAPI TO JOBA: DON'T THROW AT US  —  BOSTON — If young Joba Chamberlain misbehaves tomorrow night, he might face a spanking from someone else's Papi.  —  With Chamberlain scheduled to start for the Yankees in the opener of a three-game series against the Red Sox, David Ortiz yesterday …

Carter: Interest in Mets job was a ‘mistake’  —  Gary Carter received a lot of criticism for expressing his interest in the Mets managerial job last season when Willie Randolph still held the position.  Almost a year later, Carter realizes he made a mistake.

Many culprits as Rockies limp home from 2-6 trip  —  PHOENIX — The Rockies thought the worst was over.  The hazard lights were off, the radiator wasn't smoking.  They were racing home Wednesday, only to be reminded that baseball is less sympathetic than a speeding ticket.

What makes a home run pitch  —  It's the bottom of the ninth, and the healthy lead you've been holding all game starts to come into jeopardy as you load the bases with an arm that is growing increasingly numb.  The pitching coach makes his excruciatingly slow walk to the mound and grunts: “This is your last batter.

Dave Roberts stole his way into Red Sox history  —  Dave Roberts played in the Major Leagues for nine seasons but his “moment” came in 2004.  —  He stole the base in the ALCS against the Yankees' Mariano Rivera that led to Boston's come-from-behind win when they were down 3-0 in the series.

Too Little, Maybe Too Late  —  Capitals Fall Behind 3-1 to Rangers Despite Ovechkin's Third-Period Goal  —  The Washington Capitals haven't advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs since their memorable run to the Stanley Cup finals in 1998.  —  Now they find themselves on the verge of another first-round disappointment.

Baseball's Most Valuable Teams  —  New stadiums pushed up team values overall, but one-third of the league saw values drop over the past year.  —  The aggregate results of Forbes' 12th annual take on the finances of Major League Baseball show the National Pastime has never been stronger.

Three reasons Mets remain playoff long shots  —  Perez, Murphy and Castillo all must perform for New York to succeed  —  Oliver Perez, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract this past offseason, continues to struggle with consistency.  —  ST. LOUIS - Watch the New York Mets for one game, and the similarity is striking.

Dykstra's business: a bed of ‘Nails’  —  His new world: ‘Nails’ is trying to create a high-finance lifestyle for the rich and famous.  —  CAMARILLO, Calif. — He's slumped behind a desk, looking frumpy in a sweater vest and tan cap.  Tonight, he is living the life of an entrepreneur …

Cabrera's HR ends first Yankee Stadium homestand  —  NEW YORK - Melky Cabrera ended a home run-filled opening homestand at the new Yankee Stadium with a two-run drive in the 14th inning Wednesday to give New York a 9-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics.  —  The Yankees overcame another shaky outing …