Red Sox-Yankees rivalry dead: How to fix  —  The Red Sox/Yankees rivalry is dead and baseball has helped kill it: Eighteen meetings a year at four hours each has watered down the product to the point of overkill and taken the starch out of things.  These games have become overdone and overblown, almost meaningless.

Mets' Murphy, Reyes on DL; Tejada, Baxter up  —  The New York Mets placed shortstop Jose Reyes and first baseman Daniel Murphy on the disabled list Monday, a day after both left Sunday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves with injuries.  —  Murphy suffered a Grade 2 strain …

Tigers Extend Dombrowski, Leyland  —  The Tigers announced that they have agreed to extensions with president and general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland, whose contracts were set to expire after 2011.  Dombrowski's extension runs through 2015, while Leyland's extension covers the 2012 season.

Carrasco to DL with elbow inflammation  —  Third baseman Hannahan reinstated from paternity leave list  —  CLEVELAND — Indians starter Carlos Carrasco exited the visitors' clubhouse at Rangers Ballpark wearing a compression sleeve on his right arm on Sunday night in Texas.  One day later, an explanation surfaced.

Polanco returns to Philly for MRI on left hip  —  Trip to disabled list possible; availability vs. Dodgers in question  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Placido Polanco left AT&T Park long before Sunday's series finale against the Giants.  —  He had a flight to catch.  —  Polanco returned to Philadelphia for an MRI exam scheduled for Monday.

Youk: There's life beyond Boston  —  Third baseman reflects on career with the Sox, considers a return to Cincinnati roots  —  BOSTON — Red Sox veteran Kevin Youkilis will never change the way he plays the game.  —  The 32-year-old third baseman always plays hard and his consistent contributions …

John Danks wants to stay with White Sox  —  CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 02: Starting pitcher John Danks #50 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on August 2, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) R:\Merlin\Getty_Photos\120261501.jpg

Zobrist vs Fielder: A Position Adjustment Primer  —  Yesterday on Twitter, Buster Olney had some thoughts on WAR, and specifically, the way it values middle-of-the-diamond players compared to first basemen.  A few selections from his comments: … There were a few others sprinkled in there as well, but you get the general point.

Strasburg pushes limits in rehab assignment  —  The camera looking down into Municipal Stadium sent out a pixilated version of reality.  All of Stephen Strasburg's(notes) pitches looked linear: no bend, no dip, no dive, no tilt.  Just fast and slow, a miserable way to judge any pitcher …

Cards notes: Freese expected to return Tuesday  —  • Once Cardinals head athletic trainer Greg Hauck received the go-ahead from Major League Baseball sometime during Sunday's game with Florida, third baseman David Freese was cleared to return to action.  That action probably will be Tuesday night at home against Milwaukee.