Alex ramping up; could rehab in minors Friday  —  BOSTON — Alex Rodriguez might be able to start playing in minor league games Friday after making progress during yesterday's workout in Tampa.  —  Asked the earliest the cleanup hitter could start a rehab assignment, general manager Brian Cashman said “the 12th.”

Sources: Millwood leaves Red Sox organization … BOSTON — Right-hander Kevin Millwood, whom the Red Sox signed to a minor league contract May 19, has left the organization, according to several sources.  —  Millwood made 13 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket this season, posting a record of 5-1 with a 4.28 ERA.

Reyes, Murphy leave Mets game with injuries  —  NEW YORK—Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Sunday's game against Atlanta because of stiffness in his left hamstring, the same spot that landed him on the disabled list last month.  —  New York infielder Daniel Murphy also came out of the game with a painful-looking leg injury.

If these walls could talk: Change at Citi?  —  GM Alderson might consider altering outfield dimensions  —  NEW YORK — If only the walls at Citi Field had ears — and if they could talk as well, perhaps they could confirm this.  Alas, the walls are too far away to be of much use.

Giavotella Hits 1st Major League HR, Royals Win  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Johnny Giavotella hit his first major league home run and also doubled as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Sunday.  —  Giavotella, promoted Friday after hitting .338 in 110 games with Triple-A Omaha …

Lincecum snaps Phils' streak at 9  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum 's right knee still throbbing, Chase Utley hustled out toward the mound to apologize that his bat had struck the pitcher.  —  A tense four-game series featuring a benches-clearing brawl between NL division leaders ended with an act of sportsmanship.

Dodgers likely to lose $27 million because of dramatic decline in attendance  —  The Dodgers are averaging nearly 8,000 fewer fans per home game this season, which also affects concession and parking revenue.  The $27 million represents more than a 9% drop in the team's total annual revenue from 2009.

Ransom's 2-run homer lift D-backs over Dodgers  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Cody Ransom made his first career homer a memorable one, lifting a two-run shot off All-Star Clayton Kershaw in the seventh inning to help the Arizona Diamondbacks rally for a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers and avoid a three-game sweep on Sunday.

Holliday drives in three, helps Cards sweep Marlins  —  MIAMI — Matt Holliday drove in three runs with a pair of two-out singles, Albert Pujols homered and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied Sunday to complete their first four-game series sweep on the road since 2004 by beating the Florida Marlins 8-4.

Jake Peavy tosses 8 shutout innings, White Sox top Twins 7-0  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Jake Peavy won for the first time in more than six weeks with eight shutout innings for Chicago, and the White Sox beat the Twins 7-0 Sunday to sweep a three-game series in Minnesota for the first time in more than seven years.

Santana tosses another gem, leads Angels past Mariners  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ervin Santana pitched into the ninth inning of his fourth straight phenomenal start, and Mark Trumbo homered off Felix Hernandez in the Los Angeles Angels' 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Lawrie hits first major league home run, Blue Jays beat Orioles  —  BALTIMORE — Ricky Romero pitched eight innings of four-hit ball, Brett Lawrie hit his first major league homer and the Toronto Blue Jays cruised past the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 Sunday.  —  John McDonald had three hits …

Batboy: Jeter's ‘rituals,’ ‘high-maintenance’ A-Rod and more Yankees secrets  —  At age 15, Luis Castillo lived every city kid's dream — he became a batboy for the New York Yankees.  From 1998 until 2005, he ran errands for A-Rod, caught warm-up pitches from Andy Pettitte and David Cone, and partied with Ruben Sierra.

Stephen Strasburg live blog: ‘Now, where were we?’ edition  —  UPDATE, 4:34 p.m.: Strasburg had to be lifted in mid-inning in the second, as he hit his pitch limit (and actually went one over).  The inning also featured a solo homer off Strasburg by Grashoppers catcher Jacob Realmuto.