Rays designate Burrell, promote Blalock  —  Move gives Rays more flexibility at designated hitter  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Pat Burrell never turned out to be “The Bat” his nickname suggested, which prompted the Rays to make a move to bolster their offense Saturday.

Rangers' Romero whiffs 12 Jays for first shutout  —  TORONTO (AP) — Ricky Romero struck out 12 in his first career shutout, Jose Bautista hit two home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Saturday.  —  Romero (4-1) allowed just five singles and walked one.

New York Yankees' Nick Johnson may have surgery, Brian Cashman says  —  Yankees designated hitter Nick Johnson is unlikely to return to action before the first week of June, and in fact may not play again before August.  —  According to GM Brian Cashman, Johnson's sore right wrist …

Game 36: Yankees vs. Twins  —  YANKEES (23-12)  —  TWINS (22-13)  —  UMPIRES: HP Tim Timmons, 1B Tim Tschida, 2B Bob Davidson, 3B Alfonso Marquez  —  WEATHER: Perfectly beautiful day here in the Bronx.  Great day for a game.  —  Sorry for the lack of pregame notes.

Yankees shift rotation, skip starter Javier Vazquez again … NEW YORK - The wait is over.  —  Well, unless you are Javier Vazquez.  —  On Saturday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced the pitching schedule for the coming week following a 7-1 victory over Minnesota.  Sergio Mitre will make a spot start on Sunday.

Don't hold your breath on Oswalt  —  Roy Oswalt's name is out there as a potential reinforcement for a team in need of pitching help, but don't expect the Mets to inquire.  —  Oswalt, the Astros right-hander, recently said he's willing to waive his no-trade clause if Houston wants to deal him.

Pearce has nothing more than tight tendon  —  Disabled list stint will be unnecessary for Pirates slugger  —  CHICAGO — Steve Pearce called it a “sigh of relief” to learn that the pop he felt behind his right knee during Friday's win was nothing more than some tightness near his tendon.

Angels' GM Tony Reagins says roster doesn't need an overhaul  —  The Angels have struggled on offense and defense this season, but Reagins says the team just needs for the players to perform at a higher level.  —  The help wanted sign still hasn't gone up.

Reyes to Bat Leadoff, Pagan Third  —  MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jose Reyes will be back in his familiar leadoff role for Saturday night's game against the Florida Marlins, and Angel Pagan, who has been hitting first, will move the No. 3 spot.  —  The complete lineup for the game has not been posted yet …

Soft landing for Byrnes in Menlo Park  —  Eric Byrnes' game didn't start until 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, which explains why at 7:20 p.m. he was walking through a Menlo Park eatery with a pitcher of beer in each hand.  —  Such a late start required that The Dutch Goose slow-pitch softball players …

David Ortiz heats up  —  Two-homer game lifts average over .200  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  DETROIT - David Ortiz [stats]' first home run last night went an unscientific 450 feet in distance, a Ruthian shot.  —  The next one went a more modest, but still impressive, 394 feet.

Rehabbing Igarashi could return in a week  —  Mets on Twitter  —  MIAMI — Ryota Igarashi could rejoin the Mets' bullpen by next weekend.  —  The right-hander is slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as today for Single-A St. Lucie and move to Triple-A Buffalo later in the week.

Decision time for Nats on Morse  —  On Monday, the Nationals will have to make a decision on outfielder/first baseman Mike Morse, who is currently on the 15-day disabled list and is close to finishing up his rehab assignment.  —  The Nationals could bring Morse back on 25-man roster or outright him to Triple-A Syracuse.

Hardy could rejoin Twins in Boston  —  NEW YORK — Shortstop J.J. Hardy is not currently on the Twins' current three-city, seven-game roadtrip as he rehabs from his bruised left wrist back in Minnesota.  —  Hardy is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday …