Strasburg scratched, Batista starts  —  (Here's the final version of my Strasburg story on CSNwashington.com, including the quote of the year from Miguel Batista.  You'll have to click on the story to read it, but let's just say it immediately brought to mind Julian Tavarez's infamous Jennifer Lopez quote from last spring.)

Recap: John Lackey heaven sent in Sox win  —  Red Sox 4, Angels 2  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Lackey insisted he didn't attach extra significance to last night's game because it marked his return to Angel Stadium.  But he couldn't help noticing that many Angels fans, the same fans who once adored him …

Mets must show they've learned from past mistakes  —  Mets on Twitter  —  We have seen this movie.  The Mets had a manager and GM holding on for their jobs.  They had played surprisingly well for about half the schedule, but as the trade deadline neared they began trending the wrong way.

Street diagnosed with abdominal contusion  —  Closer hit by liner during batting practice on Tuesday  —  DENVER — After some scary moments when he was hit in the lower right abdomen with a line drive during batting practice, Rockies closer Huston Street spent Tuesday night …

Sox told Beckham he's staying put  —  CHICAGO — Not only will the White Sox not trade Gordon Beckham for Adam Dunn, he won't be moved for Prince Fielder or any other left-handed bat that could fill the team's greatest offensive need.  —  Beckham said before Tuesday's game that he was told …

Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett says Coghlan's freak accident won't deter him from throwing pies  —  CLEVELAND - Celebrating has become dangerous in baseball, but don't expect A.J. Burnett to curb his pie throwing.  —  Florida's Chris Coghlan tore the meniscus in his left knee on Sunday …

Dan Uggla homers twice, but Josh Johnson's streak ends in Florida Marlins' 6-4 loss  —  In the Marlins' 6-3 loss to the Giants tonight, Josh Johnson wasn't at his best — but even then, he was still pretty darn good.  —  Johnson avoided the loss but he allowed three runs in seven innings …

Asking Price For Scott Downs  —  Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has the best reliever available in Scott Downs, and he knows it.  Check out these asking prices for two months of Downs' services, courtesy of George A. King III of the New York Post: Joba Chamberlain or Jesus Montero from the Yankees …

Mauer playing through all kinds of pain  —  is hurt.  He smiles through the pain because the unwritten part of a $184 million contract calls for grinning and bearing.  He refuses to talk about his injuries because to do so would be to admit they exist, and to do that would seem like an excuse …

Okajima caught in culture clash  —  Red Sox reliever talks about lack of communication with media, teammates  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — There's an easy way to refute the notion that Boston Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima has no use for reporters: He's married to one.

Reds smack 19 hits, rough up Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE—Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto and Scott Rolen had four hits apiece and the Cincinnati Reds roughed up Milwaukee Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo in a 12-4 win Tuesday night to move into a tie for first in the NL Central.

MLB Opening Day 2011 to fall on Friday, April 1; season to end on a Wednesday  —  Major League Baseball, trying to avoid having long underwear as part of its players' postseason apparel, is planning to start the 2011 season in earnest on Friday, April 1 - three days earlier than the traditional Monday opener.

Phillies use timely homers to beat D-Backs; win 6th straight  —  The Sports Network  —  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard finished 2-for-4 with a two- run homer, three RBI and two runs scored as Philadelphia rallied past Arizona, 9-5, in the opener of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Trail Blazers looking for a fast trade involving Rudy Fernandez  —  At the urging of Rudy Fernandez and his agent, the Trail Blazers have engaged in accelerated trade discussions to deal the disgruntled, once-popular shooting guard to one of three Eastern Conference teams.

Bautista hits 2 homers as Blue Jays beat Orioles  —  (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)  —  TORONTO—Jose Bautista hit two home runs, giving him a major league-leading 30, Ricky Romero pitched 7 2-3 strong innings and Toronto beat Baltimore 8-2 on Tuesday night, the Blue Jays' 11th straight win over the Orioles.

Dick Monfort: Rox would deal in “right situation'  —  Add Aaron Cook and Ryan Theriot to the list of players whose names are being bandied about as the industry counts down the days to Saturday's trading deadline.  —  The Rockies have made Cook available, according to the New York Post.