Commentary: For Griffey, Mariners, end is near  —  If life were as simple as fiction, the book on Ken Griffey Jr. and the Seattle Mariners would have closed late last summer, with him being carried around Safeco Field on the shoulders of his teammates.  Junior wanted one more year, the Mariners thought it might work and gave it to him.

Nova gets the call  —  Thanks to my pal Tim Bontemps of the New York Post for the heads up on this, but it appears the Yankees are in the market for a starting pitcher again tonight.  —  Ivan Nova, whose regular turn in the rotation would have been yesterday, has been called to New York …

Sources: MLB to Seize Control of the Texas Rangers This Week  —  UPDATE: See additional information added to this report via the SportsBusiness Journal.  —  According to multiple sources, if the stalemate between Major League Baseball and a group of 40 creditors of Hicks Sports Group …

Moore believes Royals will step it up  —  GM doesn't have any moves on tap for slumping squad  —  KANSAS CITY — What's next for the slumping, shell-shocked Royals?  Apparently no personnel changes before they open a home series against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

10 guys who could wind up on trade block  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  Follow him on Twitter.  —  A few days ago, I spoke with an executive who did not expect the trade market to offer attractive solutions to teams in need.

Torre denies report he's leaving LA after '10  —  PHOENIX — Joe Torre seemed partly amused and partly annoyed when told FOX Sports reported that “unnamed friends” claim he wouldn't return for a fourth season as manager unless the Dodgers' ownership situation improves.

Red Sox salvage the finale  —  When David Ortiz stepped to the plate in the third inning last night, something was missing.  Ortiz had ditched his pink bat, used to promote breast cancer awareness on Mother's Day, picking up his usual lumber.  It seemed an interesting choice.

Which Pitcher is King?  —  OK, class.  While finals are still a week or two away for many colleges, we're going to hit you up with a pop quiz.  —  The stat lines for two active starting pitchers are presented below.  Which pitcher would you take?  Hint: One pitcher is an “innings eater” and the other is a “franchise player.”

Sounders FC to pay back fans for poor outing  —  Team announces it will give its season-ticket holders a one-game credit toward next season  —  TUKWILA — After a disgraceful 4- loss at home to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Sounders FC forward/midfielder Steve Zakuani said the fans deserve …

TIGERS SWEET ON JACKSON  —  A story was circulating last week that the Yankees traded Austin Jackson to the Tigers for Curtis Granderson because they had soured on the minor league outfielder.  Mike Francessa, the WFAN all-everything expert, probably gave the story its widest circulation.

Sox shift rotation, Wakefield gets start  —  Terry Francona just dropped some news on us.  Josh Beckett's next start will be on Friday in Detroit of instead of Wednesday against the Blue Jays.  —  Tim Wakefield will be inserted into the rotation to face the Blue Jays on Wednesday.