Pirates considering acquisition of pricey ‘rental’ players  —  HOUSTON — As they set their targets for trade offers, the Pirates are willing to consider acquiring a high-priced “rental” player to provide a boost in the playoff chase.  —  “We are open to various types of players …

Jose Reyes OK in rehab game  —  NEW YORK — New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes appears ready to return to the majors.  —  Reyes played six innings for Class A Brooklyn on Monday afternoon, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and a run scored.  Afterward he said he felt fine and expected to play for the Mets on Tuesday.

Pedroia, Sox drop Rays 1-0 in 16  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The streaking Boston Red Sox worked some serious overtime for their latest victory.  —  Dustin Pedroia singled with two outs in the top of the 16th inning, snapping a scoreless tie and giving the AL East leaders a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday night.

Rockies wise to shop Jimenez in weak market for top starters … The Colorado Rockies are absolutely doing the right thing by shopping talented righthander Ubaldo Jimenez.  They also are doing the right thing by asking for the moon and the sun for him.  —  On this year's trade market …

Nolan Ryan Hospitalized With Heart Pain  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Rangers President Nolan Ryan is in a Houston hospital undergoing tests on his heart.  The Rangers said in a statement Monday the 64-year-old Ryan is “resting comfortably and reports he is feeling better.”

Frasor Blue Jays' all-time appearance king  —  In midst of eighth year with Toronto, righty moves past Ward  —  TORONTO — Veteran reliever Jason Frasor now owns a little piece of Blue Jays history.  —  Frasor appeared in his 453rd game with Toronto on Sunday afternoon to surpass Duane Ward …

PADRES NOTES: Adams ready for trade or no trade  —  One way or another, Mike Adams thinks he can handle whatever his future brings.  —  If the Padres' setup man gets traded, as is the hot rumor these days, Adams will wind up playing for a contending team in a pennant race.

Jason Bay booed after going hitless, leaving runners on base and committing egregious error in 8th  —  Jason Bay heard the boos and understands.  —  The struggles that seemed to be ebbing before the All-Star break have returned and Sunday they were coupled with a rare fielding blunder …

Ozzie Guillen sticks with Mark Teahen at 3rd base  —  DETROIT — Mark Teahen started at third base Friday instead of Brent Morel because manager Ozzie Guillen wanted to protect the rookie from “the monster,” Justin Verlander.  Guillen said Teahen started Saturday against Max Scherzer because Scherzer was tough on right-handers, too.

Dunn's swoon reaching historic proportions … There's little doubt that every one of the Pale Hose faithful, as well as all Chicago White Sox teammates and coaches, are rooting like hell for Adam Dunn to snap his seasonlong slump.  —  But it seems that even the sweetest of sugarplums …

Sources: Tigers interested in Orioles' Guthrie  —  Add another name to the Tigers' list of potential pitching acquisitions: Baltimore right-hander Jeremy Guthrie.  —  The Tigers have interest in Guthrie, sources say, but he's behind the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda on their wish list.

Punto headed back to disabled list  —  CINCINNATI  • The Cardinals will place infielder Nick Punto on the disabled list Sunday after removing him from Saturday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds due to heightened pain around his right elbow.  —  The trip to the disabled list …

How I Got Suspended By ESPN  —  This happened almost eleven years ago.  There aren't any good guys in this story, including me.  Granted, some guys might seem gooder than others.  But that's your pick.  —  It was the middle of September, 2000.  I was living in Boston …