Toronto/Philly announcement coming later today  —  In reality, Major League Baseball had little choice.  Some of the most powerful leaders in the world were going to be in Toronto the same weekend the Blue Jays were scheduled to host the Phillies, and the resulting secuirty complications were impossible to navigate.

Francona: Back spasms for Beckett, won't start Friday  —  Josh Beckett had been scheduled to appear today at a private launch party for his new charity wine, Chardon-K.  —  Instead, he was having his balky back examined.  —  Beckett, the struggling Red Sox right-hander …

Chipper no longer talking about retirement  —  MILWAUKEE - Those wondering what's going through Chipper Jones' head these days vis-à-vis the retirement possibility he mentioned last fall, well, you can stop wondering for the time being.  —  He said he's not thinking about walking away after the 2010 season.

Pregame notes: Aceves out with bulging disc  —  Until yesterday, the Yankees were optimistic about Alfredo Aceves and his sore back.  Aceves said he felt much better, and manager Joe Girardi thought Aceves was a day or two away from returning to the bullpen.  —  Then Aceves tried to throw yesterday and he felt his back pinch.

Nats all alone in second place in NL East  —  NEW YORK — Manager Jim Riggleman said before Tuesday's game against the Mets that the Nationals want to make a statement and show they are not a 100-loss team, like they were the previous two years.  —  They did just that, showing once again …

Darryl Strawberry bashes Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden for feud with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez  —  ALBANY - Former Mets and Yankees great Darryl Strawberry brushed back mouthy Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden - and his grandmother - for their cracks on Alex Rodriguez.

Hillman is failing  —  Trey Hillman hasn't failed.  Not yet, not final, not past tense.  There is still hope.  —  But Hillman is failing.  Right now, in Kansas City's conversation and the present tense.  Hope is fading, and school's not even out.  —  The calls for Hillman's job …

Where Could Alex Gordon Go?  —  Let's face it: if the Royals aren't going to give Alex Gordon a chance to play regularly when they are 11-21, 10 games out of first, and weeks shy of Memorial Day, he has fallen out of favor with the club.  After just 38 plate appearances, the Royals sent Gordon …

Citi Field's Garbage Problem  —  At game time Monday night, the wind at Citi Field blew at 19 miles per hour, strong but not as gusty as it was Saturday and Sunday, when it blew trash in swirls across the field.  —  But trash was evident in the first inning, and it forced the grounds crew …

Bourn suspended two games for ump bump  —  Astros center fielder made contact after out call on close play  —  Astros center fielder Michael Bourn was suspended by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for two games and fined for aggressive actions in Saturday's game against the Padres.

Morales placed on DL, Francis crisp in Tulsa  —  Franklin Morales hasn't shown consistent fastball command for two weeks.  And last night a reason emerged: shoulder inflammation.  Today, the weakness in the left shoulder caused the Rockies to place him on the DL.  Edgmer Escalona replaces him.

Elena Kagan, Supreme Court nominee, is a Mets fan — will Yankees fan Justice Sotomayor object?  —  Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is Mets fan.  She better watch out for Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a Yankees fan.  —  With his nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, President Obama may have ignited a firestorm.

Brennan Boesch Swings and Hits  —  There are few, if any, conclusions we can draw based on a player's first 50 major league plate appearances.  In that sample, which covers 12 or 13 games, anything can happen.  A player might hit with an inordinate number of men on base.  He might face a string of weak pitchers.

A Steep Climb to Immortality  —  A-Rod as the Ultimate Home-Run King May Not Be a Sure Thing After All  —  Alex Rodriguez's home-run trots have been infrequent so far this season.  Entering Monday's game, he has hit only three round-trippers.  —  Alex Rodriguez is now seventh …

Mauer returns to Twins' lineup as catcher, not DH … MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer is in the lineup at catcher against the Chicago White Sox for the first time since injuring his heel on April 30.  —  The AL MVP missed eight games with a deep bruise in his left heel.

Javier Vazquez used break from Yankees rotation to improve mentality, mechanics … DETROIT — Javier Vazquez found a safe haven in the right-field bullpen at Yankee Stadium exactly a week ago today, when the troubled right-hander began a process that the Yankees hope will bring an end to a string of disastrous starts.

Modern pitchers taken to task by legend Jenkins  —  MERRILLVILLE — During his keynote speech at Monday's Meet the RailCats luncheon at the Radisson Hotel, Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins lamented the lack of assertiveness on the part of modern pitchers.  —  “In my era, we knocked people on their butt …