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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Agent: Isringhausen plans to pitch again  —  Veteran reliever Jason Isringhausen may be done for the season due to upcoming Tommy John surgery - his second elbow surgery in 10 months - but his agent says he plans to come back and pitch in the big leagues again.

Indians revive movie magic vs. Brewers  —  Cleveland (28-36) vs. Milwaukee (34-29), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  CLEVELAND — A late lead for the Tribe against the Brewers.  Closer Kerry Wood coming to the mound.  And the hard-strumming opening notes of The Troggs' “Wild Thing” blasting on the PA system.

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.

Mets ponder direction upon return home  —  Team considers injuries, standings after difficult stretch  —  NEW YORK — The silly and supposedly impersonal personal attacks of Brian Bruney are over, as is the most challenging week of baseball to date in the Mets' season.  And what now?

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

Minor League Transactions  —  Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Bryan Augenstein, LHP Wade Miley  —  Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Leo Rosales  —  Optioned to Double-A: LHP Daniel Schlereth

Mental blunders tarnishing Escobar's value  —  So I finished my weekend away from the beat by spending Sunday afternoon watching the Gwinnett Braves, or at least what's left of the once-strong club that no longer has the luxury of sending Tommy Hanson and Kris Medlen to the mound every five days.

Virginia eliminates No. 2 seed Cal State Fullerton from CWS  —  OMAHA (AP) — Virginia eliminated second-seeded Cal State Fullerton from the College World Series, beating another ace by chasing Daniel Renken in a 7-5 victory Monday.  —  The Cavaliers (49-14-1) won the elimination …