On pitchability and Perez; Maine, Willis and Figueroa  —  It was one of those you're-sorta-joking-but-not- really moments.  Jerry Manuel was asked earlier today if Oliver Perez was hurting the team by refusing to report to the minor leagues.  —  “Is he hurting the team by staying here?

Perez Gets Call, but by Then All Was Said and Done  —  SAN DIEGO — If there was any question about what situation would force Jerry Manuel to hand the ball to Oliver Perez, the Mets provided the scenario Monday night.  —  Perez's recent failures and Manuel's loss of faith …

Strasburg to debut vs. Pirates on June 8  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals have decided that right-hander Stephen Strasburg will make his Major League debut on June 8 against Pirates — provided that a rainout or injury doesn't stand in the way, according to general manager Mike Rizzo.

Pirates Notebook: Walker takes Iwamura's place  —  Neil Walker is the Pirates' new second baseman, and Aki Iwamura is on the bench.  —  That was the word Monday morning from manager John Russell, who informed both players that Walker would be getting “the majority of playing time” …

Kalish promoted to Triple-A  —  Ryan Kalish got hot and is now out of Portland.  Kalish, 22, a left-handed outfielder, was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket after Monday's game at Hadlock Field.  —  Kalish was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs.  He not only went 9-for-13 in the past three games …

Enough is Enough  —  This Oliver Perez stuff has gone far enough.  His behavior towards his employers and his teammates has morphed from desultory to criminal.  He is stealing money, not because of his poor performance, but because he continues to refuse the Mets' request to go down to the minor leagues …

When will The Conversation begin?  —  Is a position switch in the cards — or next contract — for Derek Jeter?  —  ESPNNewYork.com  —  The Conversation is almost inevitable.  The Yankees will ask Derek Jeter his thoughts about changing positions.  It really isn't a question …

Stark: Moyer knows all about giving up home runs  —  Once veteran LHP gives up four more homers, he'll tie mark for most long balls allowed  —  America's newest home run king wouldn't mind returning the crown to the factory.  —  “It's nothing I'm proud of, or I'm going to gloat about,” …

Objective knowledge  —  Tommy Bennett has a thought-provoking piece today at Baseball Prospectus on the nature of baseball analysis.  It's a fascinating article that has me thinking. … I'm not sure he has the second theorem stated quite correctly.  “The Book says: For all practical purposes …

Dodgers down D'backs thanks to 9th-inning balk  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — A blunder on the basepaths nearly cost the Los Angeles Dodgers .  But they got lucky with an even bigger mistake by the Arizona Diamondbacks .  —  A balk by Esmerling Vasquez allowed Casey Blake to score the winning run …

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon unruffled by criticism  —  Joe Maddon stands accused.  —  From the sound of it, the allegations are serious.  Maddon, 56, has been charged with unreasonable tinkering of a lineup, with aggravated pitch-counting and with over-quoting rock musicians.

Derek Holland has “mild inflammation” in rotator cuff; headed to DL  —  Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Mesiter examined LHP Derek Holland Monday at Medical Center of Arlington and determined the 23-year-old pitcher is suffering from “mild left rotator cuff inflammation.”

Sidebar: A Supreme Court Lineup Packed With Baseball Fans  —  We have photographic proof that Elena Kagan has played softball, and there is some evidence that she is a Mets fan.  —  But by the sometimes fanatical devotion to baseball of the nine-member squad Ms. Kagan hopes to join, that is minor-league stuff.

A-Rod's grand slam, Pettitte help Yankees rout Indians  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez (FSY) hit his second grand slam of the season and Andy Pettitte (FSY) was nearly unhittable again in the daytime, helping the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 11-2 Monday.