Nationals could replace Acta with Valentine; pitching market thinning … Manny Acta appears to be on his way out as Nationals manager, and while respected ex-big league manager Jim Riggleman reportedly will be installed as the interim manager, team higher-ups also have begun internal discussions about permanent candidates.

NL East race reflected in All-Star votes  —  Utley leaps Pujols for top vote-getter; Wright leading at third  —  The latest score in the battle for the NL East: Phillies 3, Mets 2.  —  In potential National League All-Stars, that is.  —  While the defending World Series-champion Phillies continue …

Candid Buchholz itching to pitch in Majors again  —  (NECN: Mike Giardi, Pawtucket, R.I.) - The tale of Clay Buchholz's career, at least to this point, is one of a big up and a downhill slide.  —  In his second start with Boston Red Sox, Buchholz tossed a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles.

Bruney needs to work on his delivery  —  The funniest part about that quote, of course, is that Brian Bruney started this war with Francisco Rodriguez by doing the exact opposite.  —  So while Bruney respects the Mets closer for going shoulder to shoulder with him in the outfield during batting practice …

Reynolds, Street earn NL weekly honor  —  Third baseman, closer share co-Players of the Week award  —  Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds, who totaled 24 bases on five doubles and three home runs, and Rockies closer Huston Street, perfect in five save opportunities …

Colorado Rockies are shaping up as the most likely trade partner for Ian Snell  —  PITTSBURGH _ There was plenty of speculation swirling around the Pirates' clubhouse Sunday morning that another big trade was about to go down.  —  General manager Neal Huntington, manager John Russell …

‘See it go’ at Fenway Park  —  We toured Fenway Park, so you don't have to. … The Marlins are off today, but I'm not.  So I did what any overworked scribe would on a day off — I went to the ballpark!  There's no game today at Fenway Park but plenty of activity — three different guided tours taking place on the hour, every hour.

Burnett and Chavez Are Burning Mad at ESPN...Rumbunter Swabs the Web  —  Buried in a Trib story by Rob Biertempfel....  Isn't it hilarious how so many people in this town portrayed the Pirates clubhouse after the Nate McClouth trade?  I trust Burnett and Chavez get an apology, but I seriously doubt it will happen.

What's Wrong with Johan Santana?  —  Johan Santana's velocity is down, as is his command.  One thing I notice is his arm dragging behind slightly — it's out of sync with his hips, and as a result the hips and legs are driving forward a hair too early, and therefore not helping to power the ball.

Marlins ballpark financing pushed back  —  Miami-Dade County wants to push back, by a few days, the closing date for financing the baseball stadium deal it struck with the city of Miami and the Florida Marlins, citing a change to how some financing fees are paid.

Start now to keep Pujols on the payroll  —  Like many baseball fans, I continue to be surprised that teams choose to challenge Albert Pujols.  He's the human wrecking ball who destroys pitchers and breaks open games with one swing of his bat.  —  But there's also one team that hasn't pitched to Pujols, and I'm wondering why.

IBAF Makes Second Push For Olympics  —  Two sports will be added for 2016  —  The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) made a second push to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, with the hopes of getting baseball reinstated for the 2016 Olympic Games.

It's not exactly observe and report for Dibble  —  Rob Dibble will tell you that he is just an “observer” when he does the color analysis on Washington Nationals telecasts.  He is “just a guy sitting up [in the booth] watching it like everybody else.”  —  Well, then, if he's just like everybody else …

When Santana Hurts, the Mets Feel His Pain  —  Johan Santana is human.  As much as the Mets are accustomed to watching him operate as their unparalleled pitching machine, Santana can make poor pitches and mistakes, too.  Sometimes, his fastball and changeup do not trick anyone.

Pirates Notebook: Wilson trade discussed with Boston  —  The Pirates and Boston have had trade talks regarding shortstop Jack Wilson, but no move in that direction seems imminent or even likely based on how talks have gone to this point.  —  The Red Sox, without a shortstop while Jed Lowrie recovers …

ESPN: Brandon Tierney  —  Brandon gets into Girardi's decision to keep Sabathia on the moun.  Plus, Brandon gets into the importance of this Subway Series and Former Mets reliever John Franco give his take on the Amazin's.  —  Brandon Tierney: 6/11  —  Brandon on why he feels Wang should lose his spot.