Lilly won't blame tender elbow for struggles  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitcher Ted Lilly, who had his start pushed back one day to Tuesday night because of a tender left elbow, won't use the discomfort as an excuse for losses in four of his last five decisions.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera unavailable in Monday's loss due to sore lower right triceps area  —  A fan in Cleveland welcomes Derek Jeter back to the New York Yankees lineup for a three-game series with the Indians.  On Monday, A.J. Burnett coughs up a lead and the Bombers fall, 6-3.

Red Sox's Buchholz to get 2nd opinion on back  —  BOSTON — Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz will seek a second opinion this week for his lower back strain because it's not healing as quickly as had been hoped.  —  The right-hander has been on the disabled list since June 19 (retroactive to June 17) …

Can Astros juggle new ownership, trades?  —  FOX Sports  —  For all the talk about the Dodgers and Mets, an ownership change for another franchise is more imminent — and more relevant to the trade activity that could occur at the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Polanco says pain won't keep him out of ASG  —  MIAMI — Placido Polanco's back has been an issue for some time, but he figures a couple more innings at the All-Star Game next Tuesday in Phoenix can't hurt.  —  Fans voted Polanco, 35, as the National League's starting third baseman.

A trade proposal: Lackey for Zito  —  John Lackey is 32 and has approximately $53.38 million remaining on the final 3.5 years of his contract.  —  Barry Zito is 33 and has $55.25 million remaining on the final 3.5 years of his deal.  —  You see where I'm going with this?  —  Trade Lackey for Zito straight up.

Rockies' Helton deserves your all-star vote  —  If more than 4 million sympathy votes landed Yankees short- stop Derek Jeter in the All- Star Game, then why should I feel the least little shame cramming the ballot box on behalf of Rockies first baseman Todd Helton?

Diamondbacks Rally to Top Brewers, 8-6  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bench coach Alan Trammell reminded manager Kirk Gibson and the rest of the Diamondbacks that just because Milwaukee led 6-1 on an unlikely grand slam by pitcher Shaun Marcum, the game was far from over.

Carpenter paces Cardinals' 1-0 win over Reds  —  ST. LOUIS — Chris Carpenter outdueled Cincinnati Reds nemesis Johnny Cueto with eight scoreless innings, then watched from the dugout as pinch-hitter Mark Hamilton drove in the lone run with an infield hit for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1-0 victory on Monday night.

Bryce Harper promoted to Class AA Harrisburg by Washington Nationals  —  Timothy Jacobsen/AP - In moving Bryce Harper straight to Class AA Harrisburg, the Nationals want to give their phenom more of a challenge.  It leaves him two steps from the major leagues.

Roger Clemens drug trial starts this week  —  The moment of truth has arrived for Roger Clemens.  —  The former Yankee superstar's trial on charges of lying to Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs is to begin this week in federal court in Washington.

Baseball's All-Star game can be classic again  —  The square peg that is the All-Star game and the black hole that is Bud Selig's idea to make it count for something are back for their ninth year of nonsensical commingling.  There is no worse rule in baseball.  It rivals the BCS for the most illogical thing in sports.

Final vote candidate Gordon out of lineup  —  CHICAGO — Royals left fielder Alex Gordon's chance to do some campaigning with his bat, arm and glove was hampered on Monday night by his left knee contusion.  —  Gordon, a candidate in the All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint, was out of the Royals' starting lineup.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman mocks Trenton Thunder uniforms used in final Jeter rehab appearance  —  TRENTON — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman no doubt appreciates the professional manner and care the Thunder organization put into Derek Jeter's record-setting, two-game injury rehab assignment Saturday and Sunday at Waterfront Park.

Worley pitches Phillies past Marlins, then sent to minors  —  MIAMI — Pitching expectations for the Philadelphia Phillies are pretty high, which is why Vance Worley found himself heading back to the minors after he threw seven shutout innings Monday night.  —  Worley helped beat the Florida Marlins 1-0.

Jon Garland's season over?  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — There is a high likelihood that Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jon Garland, the veteran right-hander the team signed as a free agent last winter largely because he hadn't been on the disabled list in more than a decade, is done for the season …