Nats' defense really picking it up of late  —  ATLANTA — The Nationals went into the season determined to play much better defense and, for the most part, they have done just that.  Don't be deceived by the team's .982 fielding percentage, which is tied for 12th in the 16-team National League.

Selig appointed former Jamie McCourt consultant  —  LOS ANGELES—A former baseball executive appointed by Commissioner Bud Selig to help oversee the troubled Los Angeles Dodgers was relieved of his duties after it was discovered he was a paid consultant last year to ex-team CEO Jamie McCourt, an attorney for Frank McCourt wrote Tuesday.

After balk, Red Sox have a talk with Aceves  —  Alfredo Aceves is a talented pitcher.  He has allowed only 113 hits over 139.1 career innings with 33 walks and 94 strikeouts There aren't too many guys out there with a career 3.17 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.  —  Part of his being good is being stubborn and a little arrogant.

Yanks GM: Jeter still ‘above-average shortstop’  —  New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman still considers Derek Jeter “an above-average shortstop,” and doesn't believe his offense production — or lack thereof — “is going to make or break” the team.

Royals putting Chen on DL with strained side  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are putting left-hander Bruce Chen on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his left side and will recall Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Omaha.  —  The team announced the planned moves before Tuesday night's game against the New York Yankees.

John Farrell defends pulling Brandon Morrow from game  —  After John Farrell came to take his struggling pitcher out of the ballgame in the fourth inning, an unhappy Brandon Morrow glanced back toward the mound as he was walking off the field.  —  Farrell said he didn't see that and Morrow insists he didn't say anything.

Cards manager La Russa has shingles, return unsure  —  ST. LOUIS—St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has been diagnosed with shingles and was having tests Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic, and it was uncertain when he would return to the team.  —  Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak …

Bob Allen  —  HOUSTON (KTRK) — Despite denials from Drayton McLane that a sale has been finalized, nearly everything has been agreed to with potential buyer Jim Crane.  —  All that's left to do is just a little fine-tuning before the sale of the Astros to Crane and his group is announced.

Cluelessness and Sexism is Alive and Well in Sports  —  As a female sports fan I would like to believe that in 2011 sports teams, leagues and companies recognize they have a very large female following and they would do their best to market not only to men, but to the knowledgeable female base as well.

Astros sign ex-Ranger Ramirez to boost catching depth  —  1,090  —  With Carlos Corporan, who had a strong major league spring training, out for a month at Class AAA, the Astros have acquired a backup plan to their backup plan, signing former Rangers catcher Max Ramirez to a minor league deal.

Rangers' Hunter (groin) shut down 2-3 weeks  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter has a Grade I groin strain, an MRI confirmed on Tuesday.  —  It means that the starter, nearly ready to return to the big leagues, is now two to three weeks away from even getting back on a mound again.

Shrill-voiced stadium vendor dies  —  Kenny Geidel, the well-known, shrill-voiced vendor at Pittsburgh sporting events for three decades, died Monday, the Pirates confirmed this afternoon.  —  Some knew Mr. Geidel as the Cotton Candy Guy, the Lemonade Guy, or the “Coke here!”  Guy.

C.J. Wilson complains that the Athletics play “lawyer ball”  —  C.J. Wilson did not have a good game last night.  He only allowed two hits — one was a three-run homer, sadly — but he walked five Athletics while giving up five runs in seven innings.  Based on his postgame comments, it would seem that the walks got to him a bit:

Phil Hughes to start throwing program  —  NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes is tentatively scheduled to begin a throwing program on Thursday and is optimistic that he'll regain the velocity that has been missing from his fastball this season.  —  “I'm confident.

White Sox use long ball to knock off Angels in Anaheim  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Edwin Jackson pitched seven superb innings for his first victory in more than a month, Carlos Quentin homered and drove in five runs, and the Chicago White Sox routed the Los Angeles Angels 8-0 on Monday night.