Manuel, Minaya assured jobs are safe … NEW YORK — Mets general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel have been reassured by club higher-ups that their jobs are not in jeopardy, league sources told SI.com.  —  Minaya and Manuel have come under public scrutiny and even attack during …

Matsui Lifts the Yankees on a Homer in the Ninth  —  Hideki Matsui will almost certainly play for a different team next year, when he will not be subjected to postgame pies in the face from A. J. Burnett.  His ravaged knees prevent him from playing the outfield, and the Yankees would prefer more flexibility with their roster.

Game 92: Orioles at Yankees (updates with Wang setback, Hal Steinbrenner audio and Girardi audio)  —  YANKEES (54-37)  —  Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.85).  —  ORIOLES (41-50)  —  Roberts 2B  —  Markakis RF  —  Jones CF  —  Huff 1B  —  Mora 3B  —  Scott DH  —  Reimold LF

Nieve DL'd, Sullivan promoted  —  WASHINGTON — As expected, the Mets put pitcher Fernando Nieve on the disabled list today and promoted outfielder Cory Sullivan from Triple-A Buffalo to take his spot on the roster.  —  The Sullivan move is temporary, though, as the Mets wanted …

Recalling momentous day on, above Earth  —  Moonwalk and a moonshot took place on July 20, 1969  —  Forty years ago today, incredible things happened in space, creating indelible memories on Earth.  —  As the Apollo 11 command module Eagle touched down at 4:17 p.m. ET …

Phillies Eyeing Diamondbacks' Qualls  —  While the Phillies seem the best bet to grab Roy Halladay — if the Blue Jays decide to deal their ace — they are also looking at upgrades in the bullpen.  —  Philadelphia sent a scout to watch Arizona closer Chad Qualls over the weekend, perhaps signaling the teams were talking about a deal.

Lou Piniella has a new pupil: Milton Bradley  —  Cubs manager will try to get outfielder out of hitting funk  —  WASHINGTON — Milton Bradley has a new hitting instructor, and his name is Lou Piniella.  —  The Cubs manager said he plans to work with Bradley in the batting cage on Monday …

Monday Ten Pack  —  Drew Carpenter, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley)  —  Carpenter pitched seven innings of three-hit ball on Sunday, and that's really nothing new, as it was his ninth quality start in his last 11.  He's hardly a stud prospect-wise, and is more of a strike-throwing speed-changer …

Assessing the trade market  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Here's a story from mlb.com that assesses the trade market as it pertains to several teams.  —  I wouldn't look for the Brewers to make a serious play for Toronto ace Roy Halladay, and here are the reasons why:

K.C. manager Hillman given vote of confidence … KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — General manager Dayton Moore has given Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman a vote of confidence, saying he will return next season.  —  The Royals (37-54) went into Monday night's game against the Los Angeles …

Sources: Pedro's deal incentive-laden  —  The Philadelphia Phillies are guaranteeing Pedro Martinez less than $1 million for the rest of this season, according to two baseball sources familiar with his contract.  However, Martinez could make another $1.275 million if he spends the final 60 days …

Phillies rout Lilly, Cubs for ninth straight win  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Raul Ibanez hit a three-run homer, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard each went deep, and the Philadelphia Phillies won their ninth straight game, 10-1 over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.  —  Ruiz also had an RBI double during …

Mussina Staying Retired  —  NEW YORK - — Mike Mussina is not the un-retiring type.  —  “Baseball was great,” said Mussina, who walked away after winning 20 games for the Yankees last season.  “But there comes a point where you have to say it's time to go home.”

San Diego's Latos Makes Debut  —  San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos made his Major League debut yesterday against the Rockies going four innings allowing two runs on three hits (including one long homerun to Ian Stewart) while walking one and striking out four batters.