Home Run Derby: Is it a matter of league or national pride?  —  PHOENIX - The Home Run Derby, now featuring a National League vs. American League format, took on a new subtitle on Monday:  —  Gringos vs. Latinos.  —  That tag came courtesy of a sports reporter from the Dominican Republic during Monday's Derby press conference.

Boras signs K-Rod, to discuss contract with GM  —  PHOENIX — Agent Scott Boras confirmed he is now representing New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez.  —  Boras and K-Rod had met face-to-face before and after last Thursday's Mets game at Dodger Stadium.

Beltran open to Red Sox deal  —  PHOENIX — As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline creeps closer, right field is a glaring need for the Red Sox.  Thy are getting an OPS of .638 from that position, the second-lowest in baseball.  —  Carlos Beltran of the Mets would fill that need nicely.

Jeter sticks by controversial decision  —  FOX Sports  —  PHOENIX  —  New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will not attend the All-Star Game because of “emotional and physical exhaustion” from his pursuit of 3,000 hits, according to two people with knowledge of his mindset.

Off-field moves, Pirates surprising surge marked intriguing first half … PHOENIX — It was an interesting first half.  Two managers quit.  None were fired.  Two managers were hired.  The average age of them was 74.  The heavily-favored Phillies did what they were supposed to do, and the Red Sox pretty much did, too.

A-Rod surgery goes as expected  —  New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a slight meniscus tear in his right knee on Monday afternoon, and the surgery went as expected, according to the team.  —  Rodriguez is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Jackson urges All-Stars to speak out against law  —  PHOENIX—The Rev. Jesse Jackson urged baseball's All-Stars to speak out against the Arizona immigration law, saying they should follow the example set by Jackie Robinson when he broke the sport's color barrier more than a half-century ago.

As Jeter stays away, hurt stars show up in Arizona  —  PHOENIX—Much is being made of the big names absent from this year's All-Star game, yet some who are hurt came anyway to show their support for the game and its fans.  —  Take Jose Reyes of the New York Mets, who says he has been hurt three …

A's Release Bobby Cramer  —  The A's announced that they have released left-hander Bobby Cramer.  Oakland had designated Cramer for assignment on July 1st.  —  The 31-year-old appeared in five games this year, pitching 8 1/3 innings with six hits allowed and a 6K/1BB ratio.

Beltran, Reyes pleasant surprises for Collins  —  SAN FRANCISCO — According to Mets manager Terry Collins, every good team has at least one surprise storyline every season.  His 2011 club, set to enter the break with a winning record, has been no exception through the All-Star break.