Atlanta Braves interested in Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny, according to sources  —  The Braves already have made moves to augment their rotation, calling up super prospect Tommy Hanson to make his major league debut on Sunday, after summoning Kris Medlen last month.  But Atlanta might not be done adding pitching.

Raissman: Sterling effort a-bomb  —  The celebration to commemorate the end of the old Yankee Stadium did not include one tribute to John Sterling, who was marking his 20th anniversary as Bombers radio voice.  The tragic oversight has led Pa Pinstripe to use the inaugural season of the new palace to celebrate himself.

Omar Minaya, Please Don't Do Anything Drastic  —  The news of Jose Reyes's hamstring tear is disappointing, and his production in the lineup will be missed no matter how long he is sidelined.  Shortstops worth 5-6 WAR per season are precious commodities.  However, the season certainly is not lost.

Orioles release reliever Walker  —  Team cuts struggling lefty, recalls Castillo from Norfolk  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Feeling that they could no longer count on Jamie Walker to get left-handed hitters out, the Orioles released the struggling reliever today despite still owing him approximately $3 million.

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz thinking of getting eyes checked  —  DETROIT — David Ortiz doesn't think that his season-long slump has anything to do with his eyes.  At this point, though, he's willing to try just about anything.  —  Ortiz  —  Ortiz, who didn't play in Boston's 6-3 win …

Related Content … SPORTS > BASEBALL > TEXAS RANGERS  —  Texas Rangers  —  Padilla wants to stay and help Texas Rangers compete for wins  —  jwilson@star-telegram.com  —  NEW YORK — Right-hander Vicente Padilla said he wants to remain with the Texas Rangers and help them stay …

Pirates pound Mike Pelfrey to sweep ‘embarrassed’ Mets  —  PITTSBURGH - If the Pirates raised the white flag on another season by trading All-Star Nate McLouth to Atlanta on Wednesday, the Mets apparently missed the cue.  —  Mike Pelfrey surrendered a career-high nine runs (eight earned) …

Route to the Bottom?  It Starts at the Top  —  This week, the Nationals fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire.  Traditionally, that means the manager has about a month to get his team to shape up or he's gone, too.  The Nats have purged their bullpen twice, banished an outfielder to the minors …

Prospect Hot Sheet: June 5  —  Back when Mat Latos was piling up scoreless innings and striking out batter after batter in the Midwest League, it was fair to ask how much of his success was based on a more savvy 21-year-old facing teenage hitters.  —  Wonder no more.

Cargo Arrives in St. Louis Friday  —  Carlos Gonzalez's time has come.  —  The left-handed-hitting outfielder acquired as part of the package from Oakland for Matt Holliday will join the Rockies in St. Louis on Friday.  The Rockies also have activated right-handed reliever Matt Daley from the disabled list.

Johnson won't be final 300-game winner  —  Randy Johnson has become the 24th 300-game winner.  —  He will not be the last.  —  All the hysteria about the demise of the 300-game winner that will accompany the hoorays for Johnson's impressive accomplishment is wasted energy.

Starter or reliever?  When it comes to Joba, the choice is simple … Mariano Rivera is the best reliever in baseball history, and the best paid.  He earns $15 million each year, which would make him the ninth-highest paid starter in the game.  Brad Lidge, at $12 million …

Cole Hamels shuts down the Dodgers  —  He pitches a five-hitter as Dodgers' offense continues to struggle.  —  What happened to Cole Hamels?  —  From the Dodgers' vantage point, absolutely nothing.  —  The Dodgers couldn't hit him last October, they couldn't hit him last month in Philadelphia …

Putz headed to NY for elbow exam (updated)  —  Breaking news: J.J. Putz will be in New York on Friday for an examination on his right elbow.  He may need surgery to remove the bone spur, but will wait for the recommendation for team doctors.  —  Putz had a cortisone shot before joining the team in San Francisco on May 14.