Rookie Provides a Lift After a Day of Anxiety  —  The Yankees rookie Eduardo Nunez may never enjoy Alex Rodriguez's success.  But for one game, at least, Nunez replaced Rodriguez at third base and was the team's star.  —  With Rodriguez placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lingering calf injury …

Strasburg pulled in 5th with injury  —  Stephen Strasburg winces after throwing his 56th pitch of the night.  —  PHILADELPHIA — Stephen Strasburg was pulled from tonight's game after wincing in pain upon throwing a fifth-inning changeup to Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown.

Manny Ramirez activated from DL  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Manny Ramirez from the 15-day disabled list in time for Saturday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds after the left fielder missed 33 games because a right-calf strain.

Surprise!  Howard activated from DL  —  Well that was unexpected.  —  The Phillies have activated Ryan Howard from the 15-day disabled list Saturday — only out of necessity as Ross Gload was placed on the DL with a right groin strain.  —  Howard was scheduled to play a second rehab game Saturday night …

Scutaro has pain in his throwing shoulder  —  On the day it was learned that Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia would be placed on the 15-day disabled list due to continuing pain in the navicular bone on his left foot — which was still healing after being fractured …

Ramirez helps Cubs beat Braves 5-4  —  CHICAGO—Aramis Ramirez had three hits and two RBIs, Tom Gorzelanny pitched seven strong innings and the Chicago Cubs held on to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Saturday.  —  The win didn't come without another scare for the Cubs.

Games of the Day  —  The Nationals try to play spoiler as they send Stephen Strasburg against the Phillies and Kyle Kendrick.  Strasburg faces the Phillies for the first time.  The Nationals limited him to 85 pitches in his two starts since coming back from a stiff shoulder.

ESPN's Jay Mariotti arrested by L.A. police [Updated]  —  ESPN personality and sports columnist Jay Mariotti was arrested overnight by Los Angeles police officers in the Pacific division.  —  He was booked on suspicion of a felony, but officials would not provide further details.

Angels' Bourjos does it all in win over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS—Peter Bourjos hit his first major league home run and added a triple and four RBIs to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 9-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.  —  The speedy center fielder also threw out Jason Kubel …

With Nelson Cruz sidelined, Brad Hawpe draws Rangers' interest  —  BALTIMORE — Fort Worth native Brad Hawpe has drawn the interest of the Texas Rangers, who are without one former All-Star in right field until the end of the month and could turn to another to fill a hole.

Not as Niese: Mets may put limit on lefty  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PITTSBURGH — Jon Niese could be facing his own version of the Joba Rules.  —  Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen told The Post yesterday that a discussion will be held this week about whether Niese's innings should be limited …

Vincent: Selig wrong to let Reds honor Rose  —  Former Major League Baseball commissioner Fay Vincent ripped current commissioner Bud Selig for attempting to “please everyone” by allowing the Cincinnati Reds to honor Pete Rose on the 25th anniversary of Rose's setting the all-time hit record.

Leyland: Magglio return this year “might be unlikely”  —  Just returned from the Tigers clubhouse, where it sounds like the Tigers are at least bracing themselves for the possibility that Magglio Ordonez will not be back this season.  —  “I think this year is pretty much lost for him, unfortunately,” manager Jim Leyland said.