James Loney's future in L.A. at risk  —  Once the cornerstone of the Dodgers' future, an early exit may be in the cards … SAN DIEGO — It was the top of the seventh inning of a game most of the baseball world ignored, and the chess match was just beginning.

MLB investigating Alex Rodriguez's reported involvement in high-stakes, illegal poker games  —  Major League Baseball wants A-Rod to show his cards about whether he played in illegal poker games, officials said Wednesday.  —  MLB investigators and the FBI are looking into a supermarket tabloid report …

Paycheck, not performance, saves A.J.  —  Nova, Hughes battle for spot in Yanks' rotation high-priced Burnett can't seem to lose  —  CHICAGO — During the same week Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova, two young, talented and hungry pitchers, are locked in a one-on-one struggle for one spot …

Rob Dibble will not shut up about Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals  —  Fired as the Nationals' television analyst in the middle of last season after saying Stephen Strasburg should “stop crying” and “suck it up” to play through what proved to be a torn elbow ligament that required Tommy John surgery …

Time to start figuring out the MVP races  —  When the baseball writers hand out their annual league MVP awards, what is the trophy supposed to symbolize?  It's called the Most Valuable Player, but does that mean most valuable to his team, sort of an ambiguous definition used mostly to suggest players on non-playoff teams have no value?

Harper: Wally sees Mets armed for future  —  The Mets' dream of a miracle wild-card run is fading quickly, and Johan Santana isn't walking through that door anytime soon.  So the 2011 storyline begins to shift to places like Port St. Lucie, where newly acquired Zack Wheeler has landed …

McGehee satisfies fan's wish with three homers  —  MILWAUKEE — Casey McGehee was nearly finished discussing his big day and the Brewers' big win Wednesday when he released the all-points bulletin.  —  “I've got to tell you guys a story before you go,” McGehee told reporters.  “It was pretty cool.”

Lidge earns first save of '11, No. 100 with Phils  —  Feat comes after four months on DL, in front of family, friends  —  DENVER — When Brad Lidge trotted to the mound at Coors Field in Philadelphia's 8-6 win over Colorado on Wednesday, the right-hander wasn't aware he was aiming for save No. 100 in a Phillies uniform.

The Mets' Latest Problem: Finding a Position in the Field for Murphy  —  The steady, unexpected resurgence of Daniel Murphy, in which an extraneous player has transformed himself into an essential one, has provided the Mets with a welcome story line in a season in which they are battling to stay relevant.

Mets Morning News (Santana to have shoulder exam)  —  The Mets and Marlins were rained out last night.  —  The Mets are off today, then begin three-game series against the Braves on Friday at Citi Field.  R.A. Dickey will start tomorrow, followed by Jon Niese and Dillon Gee.

Morneau takes problem-free batting practice  —  ANAHEIM — Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who underwent surgery to remove a herniated disk fragment in his neck on June 29, took batting practice at Target Field on Wednesday and reported no problems.  —  “He had a really good day on the field …