Jeter leads the way in early balloting  —  Yankees captain paces American League in first polls  —  The young gun at third base is catching up with a bullet, but the wise old Yankee remains the American League's headliner.  —  Once again, the first 2009 AL balloting update for Major League Baseball's …

Cabrera Designated For Assignment  —  Unable to find a place for him in their rotation or their bullpen, and unable to tolerate the idea of watching his continued struggles, the Washington Nationals on Tuesday designated Daniel Cabrera for assignment, cutting ties with the pitcher they signed in the offseason.

Posada plays in extended spring game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada played five innings of defense in an extended spring training intrasquad game Wednesday and is hopeful of rejoining the team during a series that starts Friday night in Cleveland.

Authorities trumpet massive steroids bust in Polk  —  LAKELAND - Deputies said they have plenty of evidence that Richard Thomas and his wife, Sandra, were big-time steroid dealers.  At a Tuesday night news conference announcing their arrest, Polk County sheriff's officials were surrounded by thousands of doses of anabolic steroids.

Padres could rebuild organization by trading star slugger Gonzalez … If the Padres really want to rebuild their team, opposing executives say a trade of Jake Peavy pales in comparison to a trade of Adrian Gonzalez.  The Padres don't like to use the “R” word in San Diego …

Cubs call up Jake Fox and two others, send down Bobby Scales and Neal Cotts, put Aaron Miles on DL  —  In a shakeup of their roster, the Cubs made three moves today to help their lineup and their pen.  —  Jake Fox, who is hitting .423 with 17 home runs and 50 runs batted in for Triple-A Iowa over 40 games, was called up.

Manny Ramirez's return to Los Angeles Dodgers goes through minors … DENVER — Suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez will be sent to the minor leagues for a week to 10 days as part of a rehabilitation assignment prior to rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers.  —  Ramirez

MLB Cuts Slots By 10 Percent  —  In a development first reported by Murray Chass, MLB commissioner Bud Selig said his office will reduce its recommendations for bonus slots by 10 percent.  Selig made the comments at an owners meeting last week in New York, and Baseball America has confirmed his plan with multiple sources.

Rain won't be issue at Marlins' new park  —  Retractable roof will prevent delays, loss of attendance … PHILADELPHIA — Rainy weather has always played havoc with the Marlins' season.  —  Frequent storms have impacted attendance and the pace of games since the team's inaugural season in 1993.

Wednesday Dish: Young Pelicans Flying High  —  Myrtle Beach teammates Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman earned the nickname “Salt and Pepper” for their offensive exploits last year when they teamed up with low Class A Rome.  The two haven't slowed down much this year now that they're both in the high Class A Carolina league at age 19.

Astros short on infielders with two hurt  —  Houston (18-26) at Cincinnati (25-20), 6:10 p.m. CT  —  CINCINNATI — The last time Jason Smith was designated for assignment, he stayed put in Houston, instead of heading to Triple-A Round Rock.  Smith had been told there was a chance he might be needed again.

Cards wary of bad news  —  MILWAUKEE — The Cardinals are preparing a search for a righthanded-hitting third baseman or outfielder given what they expect to be a pessimistic report about third baseman Troy Glaus.  —  General manager John Mozeliak admitted Tuesday that a “gut feeling” …

Lupica: Sotomayor ruling saved season, not baseball  —  Sonia Sotomayor is one of ours, a kid from the projects who grew up a few miles from the old Yankee Stadium.  She is a woman and the first Hispanic nominated to the Supreme Court, and it was a fine thing to see the announcement …

Astros have come undone, and clock could be ticking on Coop  —  Now Cecil Cooper is publicly calling out Roy Oswalt, and the wheels have pretty much come off.  There were errors on Monday and baserunning mistakes on Tuesday.  In between, Cooper called a team meeting that did absolutely nothing.

The Latin Talent Market  —  Back Bearing Fruit  —  I'm back from the Dominican and I come bearing gifts: full scouting reports, on-the-ground buzz, first-hand accounts of top prospects, and the videos to prove it.  I've got way more than I can fit in one article, but I'll try to cram as much as I can into this space.

Burnett looks to snap winless streak  —  New York (26-20) at Texas (27-18), 8:05 p.m. ET  —  ARLINGTON — The four-headed bronze Buddha that A.J. Burnett stows atop his locker in every American League city has not been snarling since his last start, but don't take that as any sign of complacency.

Dodgers halt Schmidt's rehab assignment  —  Righty has shoulder irritation; Furcal sits out vs. Rockies  —  DENVER — Dodgers manager Joe Torre announced on Tuesday that the organization stopped Jason Schmidt's rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque because of right shoulder irritation.

Yankees-Sox showdown ahead  —  Trying to call a division race in late May is the exercise of fools, not to mention professional suicide.  That disclaimer aside, who here gets the feeling this just isn't the Rays' year in the AL East?  —  Better question: why does it feel like this war …

Nationals are building for future  —  What do you get for the team that has nothing?  —  For the Nationals and Mike Rizzo, their vice president of baseball operations, the buzzword is “impact” players.  —  “Nick Johnson, or (Josh) Willingham, or (Austin) Kearns, anyone on our roster …

Zambrano erupts, ejected … CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano threw a baseball into left field and slammed his glove against the dugout fence after he was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  —  With Nyjer Morgan at third and the Cubs leading 2-1 in the seventh inning …