Selig mulling pardon for Rose  —  Rickey Henderson (second from left) accepts his Cooperstown plaque with (from l.)  Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson, HOF chairperson Jane Forbes Clark and Bud Selig.  —  COOPERSTOWN - Thanks to the behind-the-scenes lobbying from some of the most influential Hall …

Phillies also have an eye on Indians' Cliff Lee  —  As the Halladay talks continue, the team eyes other pitchers, including the Indians' lefthander.  —  Trade talks involving Toronto ace Roy Halladay remain intense, with the Phillies focused on acquiring the Toronto superstar.

Vultures are circling to pick up the veteran Mariners pieces of this ruined weekend  —  OK, so maybe that photo above does show a bunch of seagulls.  But they might as well be vultures.  This Mariners team just left its 2009 season dead and buried where the 2009 playoffs are concerned.

July 26: Pirates (43-54) @ D-backs (42-56); Yanks scouting Snell  —  First some new news on the trade front...  There may not be any biggest discussion/dilemma in the Pirates' front office right now than about what to do with Ian Snell.  One month ago, the right-hander asked for a demotion to Triple-A …

White Sox 5, Tigers 1  —  DETROIT (AP) — Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer in Chicago's four-run first, Gordon Beckham added a solo home run the next inning and the White Sox coasted to a 5-1 win Sunday night over the Detroit Tigers and avoided a sweep.  —  Clayton Richard (4-3) …

Royals look to convert Peña into a pitcher  —  After watching shortstop Tony Peña Jr. struggle at the plate for almost three years, it looks as if the Royals are now ready to see what he can do on the mound.  —  Manager Trey Hillman said Peña, who recently cleared waivers …

Tampa Bay Rays rookie Jeff Niemann pitches well in loss  —  TORONTO — The Rays hitters couldn't do much in Sunday's 5-1 loss against Toronto's Brett Cecil, the latest in a string of young lefties who have stymied them.  —  And there wasn't much RHP Jeff Niemann could do to help.

Dodger delusions  —  I am convinced that the Dodgers are the most misunderstood team in Major League Baseball.  As it stands now, the Dodgers have the best record in baseball and an 8-game division lead, yet no one in the media can seem to tell you why.  —  This has become obvious …

Tazawa gets a promotion  —  The Sea Dogs leave on a road trip after learning their top starting pitcher is headed to Triple-A.  —  PORTLAND — The Sea Dogs knew they were not going to hold on to pitcher Junichi Tazawa much longer.  —  Word finally arrived Sunday.  Tazawa, 23, has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Redding's spot saved by injuries  —  HOUSTON - Tim Redding, who was on the verge of being released as the Mets started a 10-game trip to open the second half, is off the chopping block, a team insider told the Daily News.  —  The Mets privately had resolved to eat the remainder …

A little more information on Wang  —  Here's an update on Chien-Ming Wang:  —  When he got the second MRI on Tuesday, it revealed a possible rotator-cuff tear.  The question is whether it's a new injury or scar tissue from the operation he had back in 2000.

Will NY Mets' slide in standings lead to drop in attendance at Citi Field? … Two years ago, as Citi Field was steadily rising behind Shea Stadium, the notion that the Mets might have trouble selling tickets at their new ballpark was almost unfathomable.  By design, there would be 15,000 fewer seats …

Yankees' Gardner goes on DL with broken thumb  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is going on the disabled list because of a broken left thumb.  —  New York recalled reliever Jonathan Albaladejo from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday and placed the speedy Gardner on the 15-day DL.