Injured outfielder Ellsbury in a tenuous situation with Red Sox … Jacoby Ellsbury burst onto the national stage when the Red Sox swept the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series.  With only 33 games of big league ball under his belt (he hit .353 in that sample), Ellsbury batted .438 and hit four doubles in the Fall Classic.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz wants an extension — not one-year contract  —  ANAHEIM — David Ortiz insisted he has not talked about his contract with the Red Sox, but on Monday, Boston's All-Star DH sounded like a man certain of his future.  Never mind the option the Red Sox hold on his 2011 contract.

AP: Yankees owner George Steinbrenner dies  —  NEW YORK (WABC) — The Associated Press is reporting New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has died after suffering a massive heart attack.  —  Steinbrenner was rushed to St. Joseph's hospital in Tampa, Florida, where he was pronounced dead.

Yovani Gallardo says he would skip All-Stars in Arizona over law  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yovani Gallardo is firm.  Even if he's fortunate enough to make the All-Star team again next summer, he'll skip it.  —  “If the game is in Arizona, I will totally boycott,” the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher said Monday.

Small history of Yankees in the Derby  —  There's a great page on Baseball Almanac devoted to the Home Run Derby and, if you spend a little time on it you'll notice that the power-hitting contest is one of the few things in baseball where the Yankees don't have a whole lot of history.

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes sitting out All-Star Game, hopes to play Thursday  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — David Wright was looking out for Jose Reyes' well-being on Saturday when the New York Mets third baseman interrupted the seventh inning of an important game against the Atlanta Braves to summon the training staff to the field.

David Price of Tampa Bay Rays, Ubaldo Jimenez of Colorado Rockies named All-Star starters  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez will start for the National League in the All-Star Game while the AL will counter with Tampa Bay's David Price.  —  In this year of the pitcher …

TYU on WFAN  —  Mo broke the news on his TYU Twitter last night.  I've been invited by Evan Roberts to appear on WFAN's Joe and Evan show to discuss and debate advanced stats and sabermetrics with host Joe Benigno, who is a staunch disbeliever.  They're filling in this week for Mike Francesa …

The best — and worst — of each league in my Midseason Awards … We're halfway through a terrific baseball season.  So of course, it's time for the envelopes please ...  American League  —  MVP  —  1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 1B.  He's appeared to have turned his life around …

Boras on Fielder  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Anaheim, Calif. - So, I had a long conversation this afternoon at the all-star festivities with Scott Boras, the agent for Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder.  —  As you know, the Brewers made an attempt earlier this year …

ESPN's Miller: Investigate Rockies For Cheating  —  Last Thursday ESPN and San Francisco Giants announcer Jon Miller appeared on KNBR-AM in San Francisco and said the Colorado Rockies may be manipulating the supply of humidor-stored baseballs at Coors Field to suit their needs in certain game situations.

Rangers sued by prospective buyers  —  The group backed by Major League Baseball to buy the Texas Rangers sued the team on Monday, hoping to force the long-delayed sale and put a halt to the fresh round of bidding that was opened up unexpectedly in the team's bankruptcy case.