Nix showing value with increased playing time  —  ATLANTA — When Braves pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad flirted with a ninth-inning homer Tuesday night, it was a potential painful flashback for Laynce Nix.  —  The last time that Nix had played at Turner Field, Conrad hit a pinch-hit grand slam …

Ex-clubhouse head indicted for taking Mets gear  —  NEW YORK - Former New York Mets clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels was indicted on charges that he criminally possessed nearly $2.3 million worth of game-used Mets memorabilia — including signed jerseys, bats and baseballs …

WAKE WON'T RULE OUT PLAYING FOR ANOTHER TEAM  —  TORONTO — Tim Wakefield, who will become the oldest player in Red Sox history to participate in a game with the next pitch he throws, talked Tuesday night about the chance he might play for another organization.  —  “It depends on the situation.

Yanks: No plan to discuss CC's opt-out clause  —  In keeping with the New York Yankees policy in recent years, the team has no plans to talk with CC Sabathia before the end of the season about the opt-out clause in his contract, general manager Brian Cashman said on Wednesday afternoon.

Sizemore to have MRI on right knee  —  CLEVELAND — Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore was not in the lineup and away from the ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.  —  Sizemore left Progressive Field a few hours prior to Wednesday's game against the Rays to undergo an MRI exam on his right knee.

Dodgers' Frank McCourt will seek owners' support, but shouldn't expect it  —  He will need votes from seven others to keep the Dodgers as he faces missing payroll.  But he doesn't have deep relationships with fellow owners to count on in crisis.  —  There will be pleasantries.  How was your flight?

Padres offence explodes in win over Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE - Cameron Maybin drove in the go-ahead runs and Ryan Ludwick homered in an eight-run eighth inning after the San Diego Padres had already squandered one big lead in a 13-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

La Russa will be out indefinitely  —  CHICAGO  • Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will miss the rest of the team's current road trip and perhaps significantly more time as he recovers from shingles.  —  General manager John Mozeliak confirmed during Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs …

Yankees Head Athletic Trainer Gene Monahan to Retire at Conclusion of 2011 Season  —  The New York Yankees announced today that Head Athletic Trainer Gene Monahan, who is the longest-tenured employee in the Yankees organization, will retire at the conclusion of the 2011 season after 49 years of continuous service.

A great story about Joe Torre, Pedro Guerrero and fraternization  —  Joe Torre caused a little bit of a stir earlier this week when ESPN's Buster Olney reported that MLB's new enforcer was looking to limit fraternization between members of opposing teams.  —  Torre's new initiative brought a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.

Stem cells give life to the arm of Bartolo Colon  —  SANTIAGO.  The fact that baseball players are the most recognizable product of Dominican manufacturing is nothing new.  The fact that from now on they will be used to show and promote the advances reached by Dominican doctors is a great possibility.

Cabrera snubs the option of an off-day  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Tigers offense currently has more balance right now than it arguably has at any point this season.  But that doesn't mean that they can go a game without their slugger in the cleanup spot.  —  Manager Jim Leyland openly pondered whether …

Hot Starts Revisited (Call the Doctor)  —  This past weekend in Chicago, I bent elbows with several fellow baseball writers at Miller's Pub, a venue lined with old baseball and celebrity photos, chosen because it was a favorite haunt of the late Bill Veeck.  Among those I had the opportunity …

What the Mets Won't Do With Reyes  —  DENVER—If the Mets trade Jose Reyes in July, the star shortstop will likely be gone for good.  —  Theoretically, the Mets could trade Reyes to another team before the non-waiver deadline to help bolster their farm system and then re-sign him when he becomes a free agent next winter.