2009 Futures Game Rosters  —  The 25 U.S. and 25 World members of the 2009 Futures Game.

Geovany Soto failed drug test during World Baseball Classic  —  DETROIT-Cubs catcher Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana use while playing for Puerto Rico during the World Baseball Classic last March, the International Baseball Federation announced Thursday.

Sources: Drug Enforcement Agency eyes Miami doc for supplying Manny Ramirez PEDs  —  As Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez nears the end of his 50-game suspension, Drug Enforcement Administration investigators are looking at a Miami doctor and his son as the source …

The top unsolved mysteries in baseball in 2009  —  There aren't any clear explanations for why some things have happened in '09  —  It isn't true that the 2009 baseball season has been scripted by John D. MacDonald and Clive Cussler.  It just seems like it.

Pirates option Snell to Indianapolis  —  The Pirates today optioned starter Ian Snell to Class AAA Indianapolis.  A corresponding move will be announced before the game tomorrow.  —  Snell is 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA, each figure the worst on the staff.  —  Details to come.

Mariano's at-bat a light moment in win  —  Told not to swing, closer does anyway, flying out to center  —  ATLANTA — Mariano Rivera never bothered joining the rest of his Yankees teammates for batting practice with Interleague Play approaching, figuring that there would be almost no chance of actually stepping to the plate in a game.

Byrd takes Conte's supplements without apology  —  Buzz up!  —  Marlon Byrd  —  wouldn't be pulling down $3 million as a Major League baseball player without getting a second chance from an obscure community college after he nearly had a leg amputated more than a decade ago.

Frank Thomas says he's 95 percent certain he's going to retire  —  Frank Thomas said he's getting close to announcing his retirement, and the 41-year-old slugger said he's having fun being a member of the media.  —  The Chicago White Sox's all-time leader in home runs, RBI and runs …

For A-Rod and Yanks, a slump brings whispers  —  The question ricochets among talent evaluators these days as they watch Alex Rodriguez take 4.7 seconds to run to first base, as ground balls scoot by him at third base, as he struggles to catch up to fastballs.

Note: Hello, Fernando Nieve  —  The 26-year-old Fernando Nieve pitched six scoreless innings last night in a win against the Cardinals, during which he struck out five batters.  —  Nieve is 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in three starts, during which opponents are batting 152 against him.

Cardinals Zero In On Mateo  —  Despite an economic recession, bonus records will fall when the international signing period begins on July 2.  —  The latest buzz in Latin America is that the Cardinals are expected to sign 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo for a bonus of approximately $3 million on July 2.

Santana beats Carpenter in battle of Cy Young winners  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Johan Santana bested Chris Carpenter in a matchup of Cy Young Award winners, and the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Thursday to win their first series since early June.

Berkman's four RBIs lead Astros past Royals  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Lance Berkman homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Houston Astros overcome an error-filled day and beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday.  —  Berkman entered the game needing to drive in one run to become …

Collins & Lyons Like Oscar & Felix  —  Eric Collins and Steve Lyons, from last night's telecast:

June 24: Postgame notes  —  I'm going to make these short because there are a lot of bugs in the press box and I want to get out of here.  —  As someone mentioned in the comments, Casey Fossum (right) has taken an out in his contract and is no longer with the Yankees.