Will Red Sox rotation be good enough?  —  As the clock inched toward the non-waiver deadline last Sunday, the Red Sox knew that right-hander Clay Buchholz's back injury was serious.  —  They already had struck out on three different starting pitchers, nixing a trade for Athletics right-hander Rich Harden …

Hudson tosses seven strong, Uggla ups streak in Braves win  —  NEW YORK — Dan Uggla extended his career-best hitting streak to 26 games with a two-run single in the eighth inning, Tim Hudson pitched seven stellar innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 4-1 on Friday night.

Lee, Phillies appear to be in top form  —  SAN FRANCISCO  —  It was almost midnight in Texas when Cody Ross, last year's World Series hero, went down on strikes for the fourth and final time.  Cliff Lee had shut out the San Francisco Giants, 3-, which must have elicited a chorus of weary murmurs …

Nicasio wheeled off after being hit by line drive  —  A hush fell over Coors Field moments ago after Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond.  —  Emergency medical personnel put Nicasio, who was moving his hands after being hit …

A-Rod unlikely to be suspended over alleged poker games … Alex Rodriguez reportedly played in a couple card games at rich guys' houses in or near Beverly Hills.  The stakes were said to be high.  —  And word out of well-placed Los Angeles poker sources is that Rodriguez is already trying to find poker games for next winter in L.A.

Tony Campana helps surging Cubs top Reds  —  CHICAGO - Tony Campana drove in a pair of runs with an inside-the-park homer and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Friday for their sixth consecutive victory.  —  It was the first major league homer for Campana, who also singled, doubled and made a nice catch in center field.

MLB trying to curtail use of deer antler spray as steroid alternative … Baseball sent a warning to its major and minor league players last week that may sound odd, if not comical, but is a sign of these drug-testing times: stop ingesting deer antler spray.

Matt Stairs' career highlights  —  Matt Stairs recently announced his retirement, which didn't come as much of a surprise to those who knew he was still playing, but possibly jolted many who figured he left years ago.  —  He was a late bloomer, not making it to 100 games in a season until …

When Baseball Imitates Congress, And Not in a Good Way  —  What a spectacle of undignified behavior, of hypocrisy, of extremism, of civility abandoned, of epic brattiness.  Could a disgraced city possibly have proved itself more worthy of its reputation?  —  I'm talking, of course …

Extension offered, but Cuddyer waits  —  A two-year deal was on the table, but the All-Star wants to negotiate his contract after the season.  —  Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer  —  Buy Photos  —  view larger  —  ANAHEIM, CALIF. - Knowing Michael Cuddyer can become a free agent at season's end …