Dodgers lack funds to meet payroll  —  Sources say the team can meet the first of two payrolls in May, but not the second, which would give Major League Baseball the option to seize the Dodgers from owner Frank McCourt.  —  The Dodgers currently do not have enough cash to meet payroll through this month …

Source: Giants have discussed trading for Reyes  —  With limited internal options available, the Giants are considering addressing their problems at shortstop via trade, and Jose Reyes of the Mets has been discussed as a possible solution, a major-league source told CSNBayArea.com on Tuesday.

So ugly it's beautiful: Francisco Liriano no-hits the White Sox  —  I guess he'll be staying in the rotation for a while.  —  Making his first start since Ron Gardenhire spoke publicly about dumping him from the rotation in favor of Kevin Slowey if things didn't improve soon Francisco Liriano …

Zimmerman begins recovery from surgery  —  Nationals expect star third baseman to return by mid-June  —  PHILADELPHIA — The tear in the stomach muscle of Ryan Zimmerman, repaired Tuesday by Dr. Bill Meyers, was less extensive than expected, leaving the Nationals fully expecting their star third baseman back by mid-June.

Being a famous athlete doesn't make you an expert  —  Luke Scott is talking in the back corner of the visitors clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, which means the company that is paying him $6.4 million this year is nervous.  Very nervous.  —  You can never be sure what Scott will say, only that he'll answer your questions.

In which I (sort of) defend Jeter  —  Rob Neyer is even more down on Derek Jeter than I am:  —  Just to be clear about this ... the issue isn't *where* Captain Groundout bats in the lineup, but that he's in the lineup at all.  —  No one is going to accuse me of kidding myself …

Broxton shut down, to have MRI on elbow  —  Dodgers closer admits to pain after displaying decrease in velocity  —  LOS ANGELES — Jonathan Broxton admitted to the Dodgers on Wednesday that his right elbow hurts and he's been shut down for an MRI and possible other testing.

Sox come up aces again  —  Lester, bats produce in another win  —  Another game, another ace.  —  And, for the Red Sox [team stats], another victory.  —  For the third consecutive game, the Sox faced an elite starting pitcher.  This time, it was the Los Angeles Angels' Dan Haren …

Rangers sign Leonys Martin  —  SEATTLE — The Texas Rangers officially signed outfielder Leonys Martin, a Cuban defector, Wednesday.  He will get a five-year major league contract worth $15.5 million that includes a $5 million signing bonus.  —  It's the second largest contract given to a Cuban defector.

Study: Cloudy skies help hitters  —  WASHINGTON — A sunny, summer day is great for baseball, if you're a pitcher.  For hitters, a little cloud cover helps.  —  It turns out that batting averages go up when the sun ducks behind a cloud, according to a new study that looked at thousands …

Roberts out of lineup after root canal  —  KANSAS CITY — Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts underwent a root canal on Tuesday, keeping him out of the lineup for the series opener in Kansas City.  —  “Hopefully, I'll be playing [Wednesday],” Roberts said.  —  Roberts was in some discomfort on Sunday, but played through it.

Hughes feeling better after cortisone  —  Brian Cashman just revealed that Phil Hughes had a cortisone injection on April 28.  Hughes met with Dr. Ahmad today and has told the Yankees that his shoulder feels better since the shot.  —  Hughes never mentioned any pain in the past …

Cleveland's Winning Ways Change Prospect Plans  —  There is little argument that the Indians have been the biggest surprise on a team level this year.  In many ways, whether one thinks this is real doesn't matter, as having the best record in baseball in early May already changes the team's 2011 outlook significantly.

On the National Anthem and showing respect  —  The Red Sox recognized the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and the service of our troops on Monday in the wake of Osama bin Laden being killed.  There was a flag unfurled on the Green Monster, a moment of silence and Army Ranger Sgt. Lucas Carr of South Boston threw out the first pitch.

Braves get journeyman outfielder from O's  —  The Braves acquired veteran minor-league outfielder Jeff Fiorentino from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for an undisclosed amount of cash.  He'll go to Double-A Mississippi initially and be ready if needed at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Pedro Beato to DL, Mike O'Connor Promoted  —  This afternoon at Citi Field, Pedro Beato spoke with reporters about his elbow injury, and according to SNY producer Matt Dunn, essentially said the following:  — He was examined by Dr. David Altchek today, and will not have an MRI, and expects to feel better in a week.