Getting a jump on Derek Jeter  —  Three-thousand hits is a lot of hits by any standard.  I feel pretty good about my 1,100 and by the time it is all said and done, Derek Jeter will have three times that number.  At least ...  I didn't play against him as much as I did some of the stars …

Josh Beckett OK to pitch for AL team  —  BOSTON — After throwing a side session Sunday morning at Fenway Park, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett has been deemed healthy and given medical clearance to pitch for the American League All-Star team Tuesday in Phoenix.

New York Mets mull what to do with Carlos Beltran; K-Rod declines comment on Scott Boras report  —  Carlos Beltran is an important part of the Mets offense, but it also makes sense to move him before Beltran becomes a free agent.  Fans wonder how the Mets will proceed.

Stay connected to Derby through social media  —  Players will interact with fans from the field during event  —  PHOENIX — The State Farm Home Run Derby continues to move in a new direction for 2011, following up a host of changes with the announcement that Major League Baseball players …

Fan hit in head by foul ball at Rays-Yankees game  —  NEW YORK - A female fan was hit in the head by a foul ball off New York Yankees designated hitter Jorge Posada's bat during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.  —  Posada came to bat in the second inning Sunday …

Popper: Mets must remain focused on future plans  —  It was surely a relief to Mets fans who have watched the Jose Reyes saga when Sandy Alderson announced quietly Thursday, “I think it's very unlikely Jose will be traded this season, and that's without regard to his injury.”

Wright advancing quickly in rehab work  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Terry Collins brought an uncharacteristic amount of good news with him to his usual pregame meeting with the media, specifically regarding the progress of David Wright.  —  Wright, working at the club's Spring Training facility in Port St. Lucie …

It's time for this group to step up to the plate  —  With the All-Star break nearly upon us, it's time to look at the 20 men who must step up in the second half in order for their teams to generate that final push for the playoffs:  —  1. Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals - Pujols wasn't himself …

Owner Monfort says Rockies likely won't make “any really huge deals” by trade deadline  —  WASHINGTON — Trade-deadline deals may be interesting to speculate about, but they don't usually make sense.  At least to Rockies owner Dick Monfort.  —  “Not really,” said Monfort …

Cardinals Rally to Beat Diamondbacks 7-6  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols tied it in the eighth inning with his first home run since returning the disabled list and rookie pinch-hitter Tony Cruz hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth, capping the St. Louis Cardinals' comeback …

Pirates option Alvarez to Triple-A  —  PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Pirates activated slugging third baseman Pedro Alvarez from the disabled list on Saturday and immediately optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.  —  Alvarez, the 2008 No. 2 overall draft pick who was in his first full major league season …