Girardi Expresses Irritation about Rodriguez Book  —  Joe Girardi, the Yankees' manager, spoke calmly and briefly Sunday, but his words were the most heated voiced publicly by a team official about the book on Alex Rodriguez that comes out Monday.  —  “I have some issues with it,” Girardi said.

New procedure could hasten Nady's return  —  Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady is attempting a cutting-edge medical procedure that could help him return to the team far earlier than expected.  —  Nady told The Journal News today that he is having platelet-rich plasma injected directly …

Lee hits slam after Zambrano injured, Cubs win 6-4  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Derrek Lee hit a grand slam shortly after Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano hurt himself while beating out a bunt single, and Chicago defeated the Florida Marlins 6-4 Sunday.  —  Zambrano strained his left hamstring on his leadoff hit in the fifth inning and left the game.

Early advantage melts as Braves lose  —  Reyes struggles in crucial sixth frame; bullpen gives way  —  ATLANTA — Jo-Jo Reyes' learning curve has brought him to a cruel slope where sixth innings prove to be as cruel as the misfortune that he's encountered during his past two starts.

Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez takes day off  —  Tightness in his hamstring has the left fielder asking for a spot on the bench, where he'll be ready to pinch hit.  —  Complaining of a tight hamstring, Manny Ramirez asked out of the Dodgers' lineup today for the final game of the three-game series against the San Diego Padres.

Crawford swipes six bases as Rays beat Red Sox 5-3  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Carl Crawford slid into second base, tying a modern major league record with six stolen bases.  The crowd of 32,332 roared, and the Tampa Bay Rays immediately flashed a message on the scoreboard acknowledging the feat.

Guillen drives in 4 runs, Royals rally past Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jose Guillen homered and drove in four runs, rallying the Kansas City Royals past Minnesota 7-5 on Sunday after Twins starter Scott Baker carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning.  —  Guillen's three-run shot accounted …

Brewers blow lead but regroup to beat Arizona  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Prince Fielder and Mike Cameron hit back-to-back homers, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Sunday to split their four-game series.  —  The Brewers squandered a three-run lead by giving up three homers …

Verlander strikes out 11 in Tigers' 3-1 win vs. Tribe  —  DETROIT (AP) — The Cleveland Indians learned what the New York Yankees discovered six days earlier: Justin Verlander is back to his dominant form.  —  Verlander struck out 11 and Curtis Granderson delivered another go-ahead hit …

No decision yet on Perez  —  Despite a lengthy closed-door meeting this morning, Jerry Manuel had few answers about Oliver Perez when the door opened.  The only thing for certain is that the Mets have not yet listed a starter for Friday's game against the Pirates at Citi Field.

Mariners sign Jerry Owens to minor league deal  —  Outfielder Jerry Owens, who was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox, on May 1st has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners.  The move was announced a few minutes ago.  —  The White Sox decided to DFA Owens to make room …

Ortiz: ‘I will do things’  —  The staggering decline of David Ortiz has been evident in many ways.  There are numbers: He is batting .215 with no home runs in 93 at bats, and his .612 OPS ranks 92d in the American League.  There is his swing: Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan said Ortiz has been almost …