Walking papers for Nats GM?  —  Buzz up!  —  So, what does Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo do for an encore after playing a key role in the signing of designated franchise savior Stephen Strasburg?  —  Would you believe lose his job?  —  Multiple sources insisted Tuesday that the Nationals …

Sources: John Smoltz ‘strongly leaning’ toward signing with St. Louis Cardinals  —  John Smoltz is “strongly leaning” toward signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, two major league sources with direct knowledge of his negotiations told ESPN.com Tuesday night.  —  Smoltz

Ryan Church calls comments by New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel a ‘low blow’  —  NEW YORK — Ryan Church made it clear: He didn't appreciate those recent comments by New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel.  —  After Mets slugger David Wright was hit in the head by a pitch last weekend …

Rangers reacquire Pudge  —  Rodriguez, 14-time All-Star, will be Texas' backup catcher  —  ARLINGTON — Ivan Rodriguez is returning to the Rangers to be a backup catcher.  —  The Rangers have completed a trade with the Houston Astros to reacquire the 14-time All-Star catcher for two Minor League players …

Royals hit new low; demote Gordon to Triple-A  —  In what looks like one of the most shameful service-time manipulations in baseball history, the Royals demoted Alex Gordon to Triple-A on Tuesday to make room for Kyle Farnsworth on the roster.  —  Ready or not, Gordon …

How Much Did Your Team Spend?  —  Here's a look at how much each team spent on the top 10 rounds of the 2009 draft.  Complete draft budgets will not be available for several more weeks.  First-round pick Aaron Crow and supplemental first-rounder Tanner Scheppers are still eligible to sign …

Blue Jays recall Travis Snider  —  Travis Snider was recalled by the Toronto Blue Jays today after scorching Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .337/.431/.662 line in 175 at-bats.  —  As has been clear for a while now, Snider was recalled once his potential eligibility for Super …

Draft in desperate need of repair  —  Next bargaining agreement in 2011 needs to be bring massive changes … Stephen Strasburg may be — whoop de doo — a Washington National now.  But you can bet every centavo of his signing bonus on this:  —  The draft that made that miracle possible will never be the same.

Sheffield, Mets light up Lowe and beat Braves  —  NEW YORK(AP) When the Atlanta Braves handed Derek Lowe a four-run lead against an injury-depleted team, they figured they were in pretty good shape.  —  Turns out, those New York Mets backups had a big surprise in store.

Moyer's relief job carries Phillies to 5-1 win  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jamie Moyer (FSY) had a quality start Tuesday night for the Philadelphia Phillies — out of the bullpen.  —  Moyer pitched six scoreless innings in relief of Pedro Martinez (FSY), who took his spot in the starting rotation …

Hampton to DL with strained left shoulder  —  Lefty unable to shake lingering injury; Astros recall Paulino  —  HOUSTON — The Astros placed left-hander Mike Hampton on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain and recalled right-hander Felipe Paulino from Triple-A Round Rock prior …

Seaver, Kooz and Ryan forever friends and champs  —  Game 1 of the 1969 World Series was winding down and a disappointed Tom Seaver stood in the dugout runway at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium next to Donn Clendenon.  The two were alone, Seaver lost in his thoughts.

CC and Bombers top A's with ease  —  OAKLAND - CC Sabathia may not have much to smile about when he returns to Oakland Coliseum this fall to watch his beloved Raiders, but the memory of Tuesday night's outing against the A's will surely bring a smile to his face.

Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield not ready to come off DL  —  TORONTO — Red Sox right-hander Tim Wakefield threw a bullpen session before Tuesday's game at Toronto and is not yet healthy enough to return to Boston's starting rotation.  —  Wakefield  —  Wakefield, 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA …

Maddon dyes hair black  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Joe Maddon is in favor of the change at the top of Tampa Bay's on-field leadership.  —  The Rays manager came to the ballpark for Tuesday night's game against Baltimore with his silver hair dyed black, a head start on a Johnny Cash-themed road trip next week.