Hard to defend Riggleman's choice  —  First of all, what Jim Riggleman did is indefensible.  He deserves the coast-to-coast criticism, deserves to be crushed for walking out on his team.  His resignation Thursday as Nationals manager was as me-first as it gets, an inexplicable betrayal of his red-hot club.

Phillies to get word on Oswalt after back exam  —  Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Oswalt will be further examined Friday, a day after leaving a start with back trouble in the second inning.  —  Though Oswalt said after the game Thursday he wouldn't have an MRI until Monday …

Mets closer K-Rod open to setting up for Mariano Rivera in Yankees bullpen if teams work out trade  —  Francisco Rodriguez is willing to pitch for the Yankees even if he's not closing games.  The Bombers need a setup man with Rafael Soriano on the DL and Joba Chamberlain out for the year.

Stark: End the Cuban embargo  —  Franchise owners have a say, but commissioner Bud Selig still stands in the way  —  Charlie Finley, a man who used to parade a mule around the outfield, once owned a baseball team.  —  Bill Veeck, the man responsible for Disco Demolition Night, once owned a baseball team.

Wright cleared for ‘baseball activity’  —  NewsCore  —  Mets shortstop Jose Reyes wished David Wright good luck before the injured third baseman headed down Friday to Port St. Lucie for rehab.  —  Of course that had as much to do with keeping him entertained as it did with Wright's rehab.

CAPTAIN'S QUEST FOR 3,000  —  Jeter, who will turn 37 on Sunday, played catch for the third straight day yesterday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, but it's what he hasn't done that indicates he won't be back in six days.  —  He hasn't run straight ahead, never mind around the bases.

Reds activate Chapman from disabled list  —  BALTIMORE — The Reds on Friday activated lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman from the 15-day disabled list and optioned lefty reliever Jeremy Horst to Triple-A Louisville.  —  Chapman had been on the DL since May 16 with left shoulder inflammation …

At 87, Red Schoendienst stays put  —  Phillies broadcaster Gary Matthews tries to do one thing the same every time he comes to St. Louis.  —  “I talk to Red Schoendienst,” Matthews said.  —  Matthews interviewed Schoendienst on Thursday for the Phillies' pregame radio show.

Backstop to the future?  Not so fast  —  Yankee Stadium out of reach until Jesus Montero learns to focus on the here and now  —  MOOSIC, Pa. — The future of the New York Yankees received a two-game timeout earlier this month because the organization felt his play lacked “energy,” according to one club official.