Matsui on radar, Red Sox keep eye on Iannetta; Jimenez is fine  —  HOUSTON — When contenders have weak spots, they naturally pop up in roster talk.  Spoke to a major league source tonight who said that the Rockies would have interest in second baseman Kazuo Matsui when he clears waivers.

Ellsbury to rejoin Sox on Saturday  —  Terry Francona said after the game tonight that Jacoby Ellsbury will join the Red Sox in Philadelphia and “probably” be activated on Saturday.  —  Ellsbury played in three minor-league games, going 4 for 10 with two walks and a stolen base.

Mets 10, Nationals 7: Mets Head Home With a Victory  —  WASHINGTON — A strange and eventful eight-game trip came to a merciful end for the Mets on Thursday night as they defeated the Washington Nationals, 10-7, to finish the excursion with only two wins.  —  But even in victory, the Mets had a loss.

Seething Ortiz boils over  —  In pregame rant, he blasts his critics  —  The smile is largely gone these days, the locker now a refuge instead of a stage.  It used to be a beacon, drawing in teammates and media to a back corner of the Red Sox clubhouse filled with the bulk of David Ortiz …

Mark Lerner's batting practice misadventure  —  Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner received stitches this evening after an unfortunate moment during today's batting practice.  —  Lerner, as he occasionally does, was shagging fly balls in full Nationals uniform alongside his team.

Twins to recall Trevor Plouffe  —  Jeff Manship optioned to Rochester  —  Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Twins announced after tonight's game that they will recall infielder Trevor Plouffe from Triple-A Rochester in time for Friday night's game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field.

Jimenez mauls Astros, but leaves as precaution with leg cramps  —  HOUSTON — Ubaldo Jimenez has become a corny movie script.  Every game is a mismatch like John Rambo vs. Sheriff Will Teasle, or Celine Dion showing up at karaoke contest.  —  On a sweltering Thursday night deep in the heart of Texas …

GM Williams needs to be honest about Sox' plight  —  Wednesday was just wrong in so many ways — the big ol' batch of Kool-Aid that White Sox general manager Ken Williams stirred with his hand, the way media members slurped it up.  —  The only thing missing was the juggling clown off to the side to distract from the obvious.

Exclusive: Yankees Sign C Rene Rivera  —  I'm at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ and can exclusively report that the Yankees have signed Camden Riversharks catcher and former big leaguer Rene Rivera to a contract.  He spent parts of 2004, 2005 and 2006 with the Seattle Mariners and spent …

Strained shoulder to send Zaun to DL  —  PITTSBURGH — Injuries keep biting Brewers veterans.  The latest to go down is catcher Gregg Zaun, who suffered a strained right shoulder in Thursday's win over the Pirates and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Memo: MLB Players Have Been Detained at Canadian Border Due to Past Crimes  —  An urgent memo sent today by the MLB Players Association to all player agents warns those representing any non-Canadian players who have any past criminal record, that, “Under Canadian immigration laws …

Cardinals rally past Florida Marlins  —  May 20, 2010 - Cardinals' Matt Holliday hits a double to drive in a run in the second inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  Contradicting their month of bad vibes …

The case against — and the small one for — Jesus Montero  —  I may have already told everyone this story, and if so, I apologize.  But a few years ago, I saved some money and took one of those online classes on baseball scouting.  Mostly, it was reading a bunch of books …