Corey Hart gets 3-year extension  —  The Milwaukee Brewers showed how committed they were to keeping outfielder Corey Hart by agreeing to a three-year contract extension with the outfielder on Monday.  —  Hart, who was the subject of multiple trade rumors before the July 31 deadline …

With Wild Card as a backup, pennant race between Yankees and Rays loses some of its luster  —  ST. PETERSBURG - During its 16 years of existence the wild card berth has been a good idea for baseball, but this season it may well rob us of one of the great pennant races in baseball history.

Prado goes on disabled list with fractured pinky  —  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves put second baseman Martin Prado on the 15-day disabled list Monday retroactive to July 31 and recalled infielder Diory Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett.  —  Prado fractured his right pinky while sliding home safely …

St. Louis Cardinals RHP Brad Penny optimistic he'll pitch again this season  —  ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Brad Penny is optimistic he'll pitch again this season.  He's just not sure when.  —  Penny  —  Penny, sidelined since late May with an upper back injury …

Cameron returns to disabled list  —  As always, plenty of news at Fenway Park:  —  Mike Cameron is headed for the 15-day disabled list and could be done for the season.  The lower abdominal tear he suffered in spring training has been aggravated to the point where it's getting larger.

I should be general manager of the Mets  —  With the passing of the non-waiver trading deadline at 4 p.m. this past Saturday, the problems of the New York Mets, a team that has failed to leverage star players performing superbly into playoff appearances and championships, were allowed to crystallize further.

Braves Request Outright Waivers For Chris Resop  —  The Braves requested outright waivers for Chris Resop, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter).  Outright waivers are not revocable, so the Braves won't be able to pull Resop back if a rival team claims him.

Home away from home  —  One more reminder that you have until noon tomorrow to register for the blog and be entered for a chance to win one of 10 autographed baseballs.  Click here to register.  —  For the first time in his major league career, Lance Berkman is preparing to play a home game outside of Houston.

A-Rod Isn't Same Hitter, 600 or Not  —  Call it a decline, call it a mechanical funk or even link it to his past steroid use, but make no mistake about it, Alex Rodriguez is not the player he once was.  In fact, he is not even the player he was last season.

It's Matt Kemp as you've never heard him: Dodgers outfielder agrees his approach has to change  —  Matt Kemp, contrite?  —  Matt Kemp, admitting lack of full effort?  —  Matt Kemp, saying he has no excuses for his performance?  —  It's all true.  It's Kemp admitting he has to change his attitude.

Grant: Rangers' series loss shows trouble could be ahead  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - If the Rangers' AL West title hopes were hurt over the weekend in Orange County, the injury would be a stress fracture.  —  Nothing's broken yet, but if not addressed immediately, the condition may turn progressively for the worse.

Waiver Trade Candidates: AL West  —  The current AL West picture: the Rangers hold a wide lead, the Angels and Athletics are on the fringe of contention, and the Mariners are out of it.  Waiver trade candidates:  —  The Rangers could consider moving Rich Harden, though the righty came off the DL on Saturday and had a fine start.

Cain terrific as Giants complete sweep of Dodgers  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Earning his first career win against the Los Angeles Dodgers was a big step for San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain (FSY).  Sweeping a three-game series from the Giants' division rivals was even more critical.