Beckett, Lackey, Matsuzaka lined up for end of week  —  BOSTON — Theo Epstein and Terry Francona made the trek out to the right-field bullpens on Monday afternoon to watch Josh Beckett throw a 25-pitch side session, something he ordinarily wouldn't do.  —  But rather than it being a bad omen …

Pirates, McCutchen Discussing Extension  —  The Pirates are discussing a long-term contract extension with center fielder Andrew McCutchen, reports Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Kovacevic adds that “there is no sign that an agreement is imminent.”

Who's on third?  For an inning, it's Albert  —  ATLANTA — Sunday's ninth inning took Albert Pujols to a place he hadn't experienced in almost eight seasons.  —  Minutes after his seventh-inning miscue on a one-hop smash at first base fed a two-run rally, Pujols found himself stationed …

Bin Laden's death draws reaction all across sports world  —  WASHINGTON - Before the top of the fourth inning on Military Appreciation Night at Nationals Park, the public address announcer encouraged everyone at the baseball stadium to cheer for the active or retired members of the service …

Phillies Notes: Utley's workout called ‘good sign’  —  The progressions of Chase Utley's recovery have been measured in accomplishing simple baseball tasks made difficult by a bad right knee.  Sunday brought another milestone: Utley played in a “semi-simulated” game, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Jenrry Mejia Tears MCL in Elbow  —  The Mets announced that Jenrry Mejia has a complete tear of the MCL in his right elbow.  —  Mejia underwent an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery to day, and was examined by Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altchek.  Tommy John Surgery has been recommended …

Notebook: Tribe vibe alive in Cleveland  —  It's easy to forget.  On Opening Day, in the fourth inning, the Indians trailed the White Sox at home, 14-0.  —  “Fausto (Carmona) gave up 10 runs,” Indians closer Chris Perez recalled.  “The team was getting booed.”  —  The final score was 15-10, White Sox.

The Anti Ethier: Raul Ibanez in range of setting dubious record  —  Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier  —  made it through the weekend safely, extending his growing hitting streak to 27 games with an infield single against the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Riggleman's Awful Inning  —  I realize that it's been a couple days and this is kinda old news, but Jim Riggleman on Saturday made some of the worst decisions I can remember any manager making in a long, long time.  —  The situation was tie score, top of the seventh, two outs …

Philadelphia freedom: Game takes backseat  —  PHILADELPHIA — New York Mets pitcher Pedro Beato watched from the roof of his Brooklyn high school as the World Trade Center collapse on Sept. 11, 2001.  —  The world learned Sunday night that Osama bin Laden, the terrorist mastermind behind those attacks, had been killed by U.S. forces.