Source: Mejia to start again in minors  —  The Mets should have a new starting pitching option within a month.  —  Top prospect Jenrry Mejia, whose dazzling Grapefruit League performance prompted the Mets to place him on the Opening Day roster as a reliever, is expected to head to the minors to resume being used as a starting pitcher.

Hanley benched for lack of hustle  —  All-Star shortstop jogs after booted ball  —  MIAMI — Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez pulled All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez after the second inning on Monday night for showing a lack of effort.  —  The disciplinary action came shortly after Ramirez fouled …

O'Connor: A-Rod sets stage  —  Rodriguez's 588th career homer sets stage for Yankees' dramatic comeback victory … NEW YORK — With the ball streaking like a comet across the black Bronx night, making Yankee Stadium quake like the old place always did, Alex Rodriguez flipped his bat …

Howell expected to have surgery, miss season  —  Officially there is no update yet on the status of LHP J.P. Howell.  —  But indications are that Howell went to Birmingham, Ala., today to be seen by Dr. James Andrews, will have surgery this week to repair his labrum and will be out about a full year.

Storen makes debut in Nationals' loss to Cardinals  —  ST. LOUIS — The Busch Stadium bullpen gates swung open Monday at 10:24 p.m. EST, and into the major leagues jogged Drew Storen.  The Washington Nationals trailed by two, a runner on first base in the seventh inning.

LOWELL'S ‘FRUSTRATION’ CONTINUES TO MOUNT  —  NEW YORK — In the 10-minute conversation, one word surfaced significantly more than any other.  —  “Frustration.”  —  It is morphing into late May and it is getting more and more difficult for Mike Lowell to live with his lot in life.

Edmonds placed on DL  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Cincinnati - The Brewers made room on their roster for newly summoned right-hander Marco Estrada by placing outfielder Jim Edmonds on the 15-day DL with an oblique strain.  —  Edmonds suffered the oblique strain Saturday …

D'Backs Designate Blaine Boyer For Assignment  —  The Diamondbacks designated reliever Blaine Boyer for assignment to make room for starter Billy Buckner, tweets MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez.  Buckner was recalled from Triple A to make today's start against the Marlins.

What would a third Cliff Lee trade mean for the Phillies?  —  Right now, Phillies tickets would be easier to find if they were printed on gold paper and wrapped around chocolate bars and distributed throughout the city at random.  —  But there is another option for passionate fans who are interested in supporting the cause:

D.C.'s second-most popular athlete?  —  Chatting at 11:30.  Submit questions here.  —  I've occasionally done this thing where I attempt to rank D.C.'s top six athletes in local popularity.  Yes, people can define the word “popular” in slightly different ways, but we all basically know what it means.

Jeter and the Hit Record  —  I was having an argument with my friend Ian O'Connor a few weeks ago about Derek Jeter.  Ian is working on a book about Jeter that will come out next year ... and it will be terrific.  You will want to start saving your money now.

HOWARD, KENDRICK HELP PHILLIES CRUSH PIRATES  —  The Sports Network  —  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and drove in six runs as Philadelphia downed Pittsburgh, 12-2, in the opener of a two-game series from Citizens Bank Park.