Alex Rodriguez placed on 15-day DL  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez did not play Saturday because of his left calf strain and is headed to the 15-day disabled list.  —  Rodriguez had been out of the starting lineup four of the past five games because of the injury.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Strasburg leaves start with apparent elbow injury … PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg left his start against the Phillies in the fifth inning with an apparent injury.  —  Strasburg grabbed his right wrist and shook it after a pitch to Dominic Brown on Saturday night.

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.

Orioles open up big lead, hang on to beat Rangers  —  The Sports Network  —  Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Josh Bell hit the first two home runs of his career in a four-homer barrage, as Baltimore staved off a late rally to down Texas, 8-6, in the third installment of a four-game series.

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 …

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.

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.