Mets 7, Pirates 0  —  PITTSBURGH — Carlos Beltran likely won't be with the Mets next season, but that doesn't mean he's without an opinion on how the organization should proceed.  —  The veteran outfielder takes one look around, and has a difficult time envisioning anyone …

Witness implicates Hernandez  —  The link surfaced during testimony from Miguel Antonio Montes Nieves on March 30 during Ayala-Vazquez's trial in San Juan.  Known as “Tony Montana” after Al Pacino's character in “Scarface,” Montes pleaded guilty to mailing cocaine from Florida to Puerto Rico in an unrelated case.

New York Mets appeal to MLB on Andrew McCutchen hit as error, could benefit R.A. Dickey's ERA  —  PITTSBURGH - The Mets contacted Major League Baseball's central offices in Manhattan after Saturday's game, requesting a review of Andrew McCutchen's third-inning “hit” in a 3-2 loss to the Pirates, a league source told the Daily News.

Source: Dodgers owe Manny $8.33M by June 30  —  The cash-strapped Los Angeles Dodgers must pay Manny Ramirez $8.33 million by June 30, a source said on Monday.  —  The polarizing slugger is due the deferred money from the $42 million contract he signed with Los Angeles before the 2009 season.

How Would Realignment Affect Playoff Races?  —  Over the weekend Buster Olney reported that Major League Baseball and the players' union discussed a possible plan for realignment.  The plan would move the Houston Astros, or possibly the Florida Marlins, to the AL so that both leagues would have 15 teams …

Hendry denies Cubs won't spend in 2012  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry met with the media before Monday's game and addressed several topics, including a report that the Cubs' wont be able to spend on free agents the next few years because of their debt load.  —  “That's not true at all,” he said.

Cubs place Kerry Wood on DL  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs placed pitcher Kerry Wood on the disabled list with a blister and activated infielder Jeff Baker before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  Wood, who has a blister on his right index finger, was placed on the DL retroactive to June 9.

Government lab helps MLB battle broken-bat danger  —  MADISON, Wis.—Major League Baseball has been trying to reduce the number of broken bats and the injuries that can come with them.  —  The league has an expert partner, too: After all, who knows wood better than the U.S. Forest Service?

Unlikely All-Star candidates and more  —  Every year you see 'em - players who come seemingly out of nowhere to become All-Stars.  —  Many play for low-profile clubs.  Some disappear in the second half.  But the unlikely All-Stars, no matter how fluky, always make for great stories.

Lenny Dykstra pleads not guilty  —  LOS ANGELES — Former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra pleaded not guilty Monday in a federal case where he's accused of embezzling money from a bankruptcy estate.  —  An out-of-sorts Dykstra appeared in a Los Angeles federal courtroom …

Hey, Bud!  PleA'se Stop the TeA'se!  —  Help, I'm stepping into the Twilight Zone  —  This is a madhouse, feels like being cloned  —  My beacon's been moved under moon and star  —  Where am I to go now that I've gone too far?  —  Feet, meet fire.  —  Today is simple: I come bearing a mission with which we can all get onboard.

Calls for Hatcher's firing misguided  —  If blame is to be had for the Angels' woes, fingers should point up the food chain … ANAHEIM — Baseball teams usually talk a lot about patience up until around June.  Then, the firing season begins.  —  Last week, the Oakland A's …