Rivera takes place in history with No. 500  —  Yankees' closer just second player to hit saves milestone  —  NEW YORK — Another save?  You'd have to excuse Mariano Rivera if that particular milestone didn't boost his excitement level — after all, he's been there and done that, now 500 times and still counting.

Perfect time for Cubs to waive bye-bye to Carlos Zambrano  —  Carlos Zambrano covers his face as he listens to pitching coach Larry Rothschild.  (Nam Y Huh, Associated Press / June 28, 2009)  —  As Lou Piniella was saying on Friday, enough's enough.  —  Get Carlos Zambrano out of here, even if the Cubs have to give him away.

Nationals activate Olsen for opener  —  Washington (22-51) at Florida (38-39), 7:10 p.m. ET  —  BALTIMORE — After Sunday's 5-3 win over the Orioles, the Nationals activated left-hander Scott Olsen from the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Shairon Martis to Triple-A Syracuse.

Desperate Mets: Get us some help … Jerry Manuel keeps using terms like “tread water,” “survive” and “hold on.”  But even the Mets' manager admits that it soon may be time to make a trade.  —  “I think if we get below that (.500) mark and we continue to struggle offensively as we are …

Pirates Notebook: Snell fans 17 for Indianapolis  —  Ian Snell found one good way to escape the “negativity:” Strike 'em all out.  —  In a superb return to Class AAA Indianapolis yesterday, he fanned 17 batters over seven innings, including his first 13 outs of a 2-1 victory against visiting Toledo.

Indians tradition: Summer garage sale  —  The Indians are becoming accomplished in maximizing the trade value of their assets during failed seasons.  That's the organizational upside and downside all in one unembraceable bottom line.  —  Better that lack of opportunity leaves Mark Shapiro less gifted in this means of roster building.

O's sign top '09 Draft pick Hobgood  —  Righty inks Minor League deal with $2.42 million bonus  —  BALTIMORE — Matt Hobgood's professional journey is ready to begin.  The Orioles signed Hobgood, their first-round selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft and the Gatorade National Baseball Player …

Quiet night for Manny with Inland Empire  —  Slugger goes 0-for-2, makes one putout in outfield  —  SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — While suspended Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez provided plenty of fireworks during his first game as an Inland Empire 66er, the sizzle in his bat was absent on Sunday.

Tigers place Robertson on 15-day DL  —  Club recalls Taiwanese left-hander Ni from Triple-A  —  HOUSTON — Taiwanese pitcher Fu-Te Ni is getting his shot in the big leagues.  Nate Robertson, meanwhile, is facing the likelihood of surgery, albeit a relatively minor one.

Yankees say Jackson having a strong season, despite criticism to contrary  —  In an online chat this month, ESPN.com baseball analyst Keith Law was asked a question about New York Yankees first-round draft pick Slade Heathcott.  —  “He'll sign,” Law wrote.

Game 74: Pre-Game Notes (Bleich Called Up, One More Start For Johnson)  —  5:15 PM — Jason Johnson quotes: “It was my first time being in front of a crowd in two months, and I had a little bit of nervous energy going on at the beginning of the game.  I think once I got through that first inning …