Bobby Valentine pulls name out of Baltimore Orioles skipper mix … Former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, now an analyst with ESPN, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the managerial job with the Baltimore Orioles, Valentine confirmed Wednesday.

Mets Ace Johan Santana Accused of Sexual Battery  —  TMZ has learned New York Mets star pitcher Johan Santana was accused in a police report of sexual battery that allegedly went down on a Florida golf course ... but the case went nowhere.  —  TMZ obtained a copy of the report filed …

Ryan Westmoreland, Boston Red Sox prospect, talks about making progress after brain surgery  —  None of the doctors Ryan Westmoreland sees has been willing to give him a timetable on his recovery from surgery three months ago to repair a cavernous malformation on his brain.

Mickey Mouse in BoSox uniform vandalized  —  SANTA ANA - The statue of a 7½-feet-tall Mickey Mouse dressed in a Boston Red Sox uniform, in front of the Discovery Science Center, was vandalized and has been removed from the museum.  —  “Mickey was vandalized and has been removed …

The Brilliance of the Texas Rangers Ruling  —  As the age-old adage goes, haste makes waste.  News organizations (this one included), looking to get the report of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Lynn's opinion in the Texas Rangers bankruptcy case out timely, skimmed over the 28 page ruling …

Subdued Furcal returns to Dodgers' lineup  —  Shortstop activated from bereavement list after father's death  —  ANAHEIM — A subdued Rafael Furcal returned to the lineup Tuesday, still shaken from the Sunday death of his father, but grateful that the Dodgers allowed him to travel to the Dominican Republic for a final goodbye.

Royals ‘getting closer’ to inking Colon  —  WASHINGTON — Royals general manager Dayton Moore denied a report on Wednesday that the club has signed its first-round Draft choice, shortstop Christian Colon, but said through a spokesman that the two sides “were getting closer.”

Hoffman may close again  —  But Macha has been pleased with Axford  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Brewers manager Ken Macha said Tuesday afternoon he can envision the day when Trevor Hoffman will be the team's closer again.  —  Macha just wasn't prepared to say when that might be.

Clemson tops Oklahoma 6-4 to inch closer to CWS finals  —  OMAHA (AP) — Clemson took advantage of Oklahoma's fourth-inning pitching meltdown and a costly error in the fifth to beat the Sooners 6-4 at the College World Series on Wednesday.  —  Oklahoma scored each of the last three innings …

Strasburg sets record with 41 Ks in first 4 starts  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg broke the major league record for strikeouts over his first four major league starts, fanning nine over his first six innings Thursday for the Washington Nationals against the Kansas City Royals.

Brewers should deal power for pitching  —  Even with Prince Fielder and Corey Hart, the Brewers are struggling.  —  PRINT EMAIL RSS ADD THIS  —  Updated Jun 23, 2010 12:52 PM ET  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Prince Fielder led the National League in RBIs in 2009.  —  Corey Hart is almost doing the same right now.