YANKS OBTAIN HINSKE  —  The Yankees acquired veteran lefty hitter Eric Hinske from the Pirates for two minor leaguers not considered significant prospects, righty pitcher Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer.  —  The move was made by the Yankees for several reasons:

Boston Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell heads to DL with hip injury  —  Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell is headed to the disabled list.  —  Lowell  —  Lowell is on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 28.  He has a right hip strain.  —  First baseman/outfielder Jeff Bailey …

Source: Steadman finds bruise, recommends rest thru ASG  —  Carlos Beltran's trip to Vail, Colo., provided a reassuring diagnosis, a source familiar with the examination told the Daily News.  —  Dr. Richard Steadman, who examined Beltran (pictured right) on Monday, agreed …

Nats Trade Milledge, Hanrahan To Pittsburgh For Morgan, Burnett  —  [UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.] — Done deal.  Absolutely finalized.  Look for a more detailed news story here in a few minutes.  GM Mike Rizzo will address the media about the deal at 4:10 p.m.  —  [UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.] - The trade is actually a 2-for-2.

Red Sox duo locked in close All-Star votes  —  Youkilis pulls ahead, Pedroia very near in balloting's final days  —  On his march to the Major Leagues, the little guy who plays second base for the Boston Red Sox has heard over and over again that he can't, but then he laces up his spikes, throws on his glove and proves everyone wrong.

DeCaster Sold to New York Yankees  —  FARGO, N.D. - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3B Yurendell DeCaster is trading in his RedHawks pinstripes for a set of Yankees pinstripes.  —  The All-Star third baseman has had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees today and will report on Tuesday …

San Francisco Giants scouts checking out Jermaine Dye  —  Sox RF grew up near San Francisco  —  Jermaine Dye runs the bases following a solo home run against the Cubs.  (José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / June 28, 2009)  —  CLEVELAND — With the non-waiver trade deadline one month away …

Improved two-strike approach helping Tampa Bay Rays offense rank among baseball's best  —  TORONTO — LF Carl Crawford may have delivered the biggest hit of Monday's game, a two-run homer in the third inning off Blue Jays ace RHP Roy Halladay.  —  But it was his single up the middle …

Ethier's homer lifts Dodgers in 13th inning  —  Two-run blast gives LA ninth walk-off win of season  —  LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier simply relishes the big stage, especially late in the game.  —  It sure shows as Ethier hit his Major League-leading seventh walk-off hit over the past …

Source: Beltran back after break  —  The Daily News will show you Citi Field.  Go on the field, into the clubhouse and see how the new stadium was built.  —  Sponsored by:  —  Today's Top Picks … Best Of NYDN.com

Angels extend AL West lead after sixth win in a row  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales hit back-to-back home runs that put Los Angeles ahead and the AL West-leading Angels won their sixth straight game, 5-2 over the struggling Texas Rangers on Monday night.

San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn finally comfortable with being himself — Tony Gwynn  —  Tony (don't call him Junior) Gwynn at ease following in his famous father's footsteps  —  SAN DIEGO — Every morning, this city wakes up to 1994.  Every morning, a sports page arrives with a box score …

Papelbon ties Red Sox's saves record  —  Closer notches No. 132, remains in awe of Yanks' Rivera  —  BALTIMORE — Closer Jonathan Papelbon tied the Red Sox's club record for saves, set by Bob Stanley, with career save No. 132, notched in a 4-0 victory against the Orioles on Monday night.

Astros option Wright to Triple-A  —  Lefty pitches well, but team needs roster spot  —  SAN DIEGO — Left-hander Wesley Wright knew the news coming, but it didn't make it any easier to swallow.  —  The Astros optioned Wright to Triple-A Round Rock following Monday's 3-1 win over San Diego …

At start of Mariano Rivera's Yankee career, Gene Michael almost traded him  —  All these years later, Gene Michael still laughs when he thinks about how Mariano Rivera became the greatest one-pitch pitcher in baseball history.  —  “He had a hell of a changeup when he was young …

Can the Florida Marlins win with Emilio Bonifacio?  —  Before delving into the topic du jour, another great outing from Ricky Nolasco.  He gave up two early runs then retired 20 of the last 21 batters he faced.  Since returning from his demotion to Triple-A, Nolasco has not allowed …