Florida Marlins Team Report  —  INSIDE PITCH  —  The Marlins added a third catcher to their roster Thursday when Brett Hayes was recalled from Class AAA New Orleans.  Outfielder Bryan Petersen was optioned to New Orleans.  —  Hayes' stay may be temporary.

Mets Lead the Majors in Declining Attendance  —  A year after moving into a sparkling new $800 million stadium, the Mets have the most home victories in the major leagues, but neither their stadium nor their record is translating into box-office success.  —  After 22 home games …

Prospect Hot Sheet: May 14  —  Team: Triple-A Syracuse (International)  —  Why He's Here: 2-0, 0.00, 12 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 SO  —  The Scoop: What else needs to be said, really?  Triple-A hitters clearly are no match for Strasburg, and when the Nationals finally do call him up to Washington …

Nats not locked in on top Draft pick  —  Harper just one of several prospects club is considering  —  DENVER — For the second year in a row, the Nationals have the first overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.  —  Last year, the club made it known before the Draft that right-hander Stephen Strasburg would be the choice.

Garcia released, Lindsay claimed  —  The Yankees have claimed RHP Shane Lindsay off waivers from the Rockies.  He will report to the minor league complex before being assigned to a minor league team.  —  To make room on the 40-man roster, injured prospect Christian Garcia was released.

BIG DAY FOR JONES LEADS PIRATES PAST CUBS IN MATINEE  —  The Sports Network  —  Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Garrett Jones collected five hits and drove in a career-high five runs, including the tie-breaking three-run homer in the eighth inning, to lift the Pirates to a 10-6 win over the Cubs …

Mientkiewicz opts out of Minors deal  —  MIAMI — A potential left-handed veteran off the bench is no longer in the organization.  —  First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz opted out of his Minor League contract, and he again is a free agent.  The Marlins signed Mientkiewicz to a Minors deal May 5.

The Firing of Trey Hillman  —  In 2007, when the Kansas City Royals hired Trey Hillman to be their manager, I traveled to Japan to watch the man in action.  Hillman was a bold hire by what then looked like a young and bold organization.  The Royals had just hired Dayton Moore from Atlanta …

Astros' Lee draws ire of Carpenter  —  Benches clear after players start jawing  —  ST. LOUIS — Chris Carpenter showed his mean streak again Thursday.  —  Carpenter called out Houston's Carlos Lee after Lee popped out to shortstop in the third inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-1 loss to the Astros.

Griffey not contemplating retirement  —  Slugger says he's continuing to take early batting practice  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Ken Griffey Jr., who was not in the Mariners starting lineup for the third consecutive game against an opposing right-handed pitcher on Friday night, says he is not contemplating retirement.

Hot Sheet Chat With Ben Badler  —  Ben Badler: Time to start this chat, 'cause that's how we do it in the 919.  —  MJ (Valpo): How good can Mike Trout be?  I assume he's jumped ahead of Conger and Bourjos to be the Angels' #1 prospect.  Is he a potential #3 hitter in an MLB lineup one day?

Prep SS Wolters Ruled Ineligible  —  San Diego area prep shortstop Tony Wolters, the MVP of last summer's Aflac All-America game who is projected to go in the first two rounds of the 2010 draft, has been ruled ineligible by the local section of the California Interscholastic Federation.

Looks like MLB has buried an Ace  —  Top pitcher in Northern League last year gets no offers from Show  —  Ace Walker works out Thursday at Canwest Park under the watchful eye of Rick Forney.  —  He didn't get any interest from major league teams in the off-season, so Ace Walker will continue to finish what he started in Winnipeg.