McCarthy has stress fracture in shoulder  —  Rangers right-hander to be out of action ‘several weeks’  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers learned on Monday that they will be without starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy for an extended period of time.  —  The right-hander is sidelined with a stress fracture …

Rangers exercise 2010 option on Washington  —  The Rangers have exercised the 2010 option on manager Ron Washington's contract.  A news conference will be held at 3:30 p.m., so in about an hour.  The Rangers have been in first place for a month, and the Rangers apparently believe Washington has a lot to do with it.

John And Jim's Fantasy Draft  —  Manuel and Callis make their first-round picks  —  What's more fun than playing scouting director?  Playing scouting director for 16 teams.  Our draft experts, Jim Callis and John Manuel, alternate picks and let you know who they'd choose if they were running …

Cust's solo shot helps A's win seventh straight, nip Twins  —  OAKLAND (AP) — Down three runs, rookie Josh Outman just kept pitching and maintained his approach.  He even struck out Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau back-to-back.  —  And the offense eventually did its part.

Sox diligent in shortstop search  —  The Red Sox have left no stone unturned in looking at or discussing deals for shortstops.  Whether they actually pull the trigger on something is up for debate internally as the team patiently awaits the return of Jed Lowrie, who has a great chance …

Rollins, Ibanez take over in NL voting  —  Phillies join teammate Utley among leaders; Beltran moves up  —  Welcome to the top of the All-Star leaderboards, Jimmy and Raul.  —  The third 2009 National League balloting update for Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, to be held July 14 in St. Louis …

Strasburg vs. Nats could be biggest battle in draft history (cont.)  —  And let's not forget that the $10.5 million bonus was in the days before teams that failed to sign their picks were rewarded with a replacement pick the following year — and also before the economy went south.

Brandon Inge singles in 9th, Tigers beat Chisox in opener  —  CHICAGO — Brandon Inge singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Detroit Tigers beat the slumping Chicago White Sox 5-4 Monday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.  —  Miguel Cabrera opened the ninth by reaching on third baseman Josh Fields' error.

Barry Bonds' wife files legal separation papers … LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barry Bonds' wife has filed for legal separation.  —  The former San Francisco Giants slugger and Liz Watson were married in 1998 and have a 10-year-old daughter, Aisha.  —  Watson cited irreconcilable differences …

Chipper no fan of Citi Field  —  Longtime Mets nemesis Chipper Jones did so much damage at Shea Stadium that he named one of his sons “Shea” in honor of it.  It's safe to say the Atlanta slugger won't be making any similar tributes to Citi Field.  —  Jones ripped the Mets' new park …

Vision deemed fine, Ortiz gets drops for dry eyes … BOSTON (AP) — David Ortiz's vision has checked out very well as the Boston Red Sox try to help him out of his season-long slump.  —  The designated hitter received drops for dry eyes Monday, team spokesperson Pam Ganley said.

Marlins to break ground for new ballpark  —  Ceremonies scheduled to be held July 18 at Orange Bowl site … MIAMI — After more than a decade of negotiating and waiting, a date to begin construction on the Marlins' new retractable-roof ballpark has been set.

By Deeds and Words, Cora Challenges Mets  —  WASHINGTON — The worst lineup Alex Cora said he had ever seen won three of four games late last summer.  He batted eighth or ninth for a Red Sox team playing without the injured Mike Lowell, Julio Lugo, J. D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis …

D-Backs acquire reliever Boyer … The Diamondbacks claimed right-hander Blaine Boyer off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.  —  Boyer, 27, was 0-0 with a 4.41 ERA over 15 games with the Cardinals.  He opened the season with the Atlanta Braves, pitching in three games …

New approach, pain not eased  —  On the subject of the 2009 Daisuke Matsuzaka, no one accurately can say, “It is what it is.”  —  The truth is that no one knows what it's going to be, or when.  —  Yesterday he was an alternate version of the Dice-K we've come to know and, shall we say …