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.

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 …

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.

Going to Yankee Stadium?  Don't Bring Your iPad!  —  This weekend is an exciting one here in NYC - the Subway Series comes to Citi Field.  The matchup is between the Mets and the Yankees.  Naturally the Yankees will prevail and Mets fans will, once again, wonder if their team will hit .500 for the season.

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.

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 …

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 …