Francisco Rodriguez and Mets bullpen coach Randy Niemann get into heated discussion in series finale  —  Francisco Rodriguez apparently was plenty warmed up by the time he got into Sunday night's Subway Series finale in the ninth inning against the Yankees - K-Rod and bullpen coach Randy Niemann had …

Los Angeles Dodgers place George Sherrill on DL, activate Rafael Furcal  —  CHICAGO — The Los Angeles Dodgers will go with an 11-man pitching staff for at least a few days after placing struggling reliever George Sherrill on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with what was termed a mid-back strain.

ELLSBURY HEADED BACK TO CENTER  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Following the Red Sox' 6-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Jacoby Ellsbury confirmed what was learned by WEEI.com earlier Monday night — that he is slated to be manning center field on a regular basis for the Sox, even with the return of Mike Cameron from the 15-day disabled list.

Rockies recall catcher Iannetta after successful Sky Sox stint  —  Catcher Chris Iannetta will rejoin the Rockies today after a month-long stint at Triple-A Colorado Springs.  —  As general manager Dan O'Dowd indicated Monday, Iannetta did everything the team asked after his demotion.

Season could be last for Chicago White Sox's Omar Vizquel  —  CLEVELAND — Chicago White Sox shortstop Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner, said Tuesday night that he will probably retire following this season.  —  “I'm not sure if I'm really going to do it,” he said after the 7-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Yankees starter A.J. Burnett credits acupuncture with helping him stay healthy … NEW YORK — Brian Cashman had to be sure.  —  The Yankees general manager heard the reports out of Toronto, the ones that said that A.J. Burnett had been reformed.  Gone was the pitcher who leaned on raw talent …

PIRATES OUTLAST REDS IN PITCHING DUEL  —  The Sports Network  —  Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Ryan Doumit cracked a two-out solo home run in the ninth to decide a well-pitched game on both sides, as the Pirates edged Cincinnati, 2-1, at Great American Ball Park.

BREWERS DOWN ASTROS IN BATTLE OF NL CENTRAL'S LESSER LIGHTS  —  The Sports Network  —  Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks both clubbed two- run homers, helping the Milwaukee Brewers snap an eight-game home losing streak with a 6-1 win over Houston in the opener of a three-game series at Miller Park.

Troncoso finds flaw in delivery  —  CHICAGO — Ramon Troncoso thinks he's figured out why he's allowed three home runs in his past two appearances, with his ERA jumping from 3.48 to 5.06.  —  “I was watching videos of last year, and I see that sometimes I lean too fast,” said Troncoso.

Where will Astros' ace Oswalt end up?  —  Astros righthander Roy Oswalt wants to pitch in another World Series before he retires.  —  To that end, he has asked the Astros to consider trading him to a contender.  —  He is owed $31 million in salary through 2011, when his contract expires.

LESTER AND RED SOX BLANK RAYS  —  The Sports Network  —  St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Jon Lester threw six scoreless innings while he and three relievers combined to hold Tampa to one hit, as Boston topped the Rays, 2-0, in the middle portion of a three-game series at Tropicana Field.

Does Derek Jeter Have Anything Left?  —  Even the most devoted fans of the Yankees and their star shortstop Derek Jeter likely recognized that 2009 was a special year for the Yankee captain.  Jeter's 2009 was probably the best season by a 35 year old shortstop in at least half a century.

Dan Lozano, agent to top MLB players, leaves Beverly Hills Sports Council  —  Dan Lozano, the agent for Albert Pujols and several other prominent major leaguers, has left the Beverly Hills Sports Council, one of the firm's four partners confirmed to ESPN.com on Tuesday.

Homer Bailey: Reds fans critical of Dusty Baker ‘can shut up’  —  Rap against Reds manager undeserved — at least in this case  —  Homer Bailey is a long, tall Texan who takes the Texan part seriously.  He's stubborn, independent and brash.  It can take awhile to get some things through his head.