History all that keeps Yankees from releasing Posada  —  BOSTON — The clock ticks against Jorge Posada, marching relentlessly and remorsefully toward the end of his Yankees marriage — a beautiful relationship gone rancid.  —  The clock already has sped up on him this year …

Daniel Murphy out for the season after Mets infielder suffers Grade 2 tear of MCL in his left knee  —  Daniel Murphy misses most of last season with a torn MCL in his right knee.  On Sunday, he suffers a Grade 2 tear of the MCL in his left knee and is done for the year.

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 …

Rangers To Release Arthur Rhodes  —  The Rangers have put Arthur Rhodes on release waivers and he'll be a free agent Wednesday, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).  The Rangers had designated the left-hander for assignment last week.

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.

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.

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.

Hypnotist helps Bochy and staff quit dipping  —  SAN FRANCISCO—Ask Bruce Bochy if he has a dip and San Francisco's skipper offers up a standard response: “I don't do that anymore.”  —  Bullpen catcher Bill Hayes answers the same way.  Equipment manager Mike Murphy, too.

No second-guessing here on Phils' trades  —  THE MAGIC formula that has propelled the Phillies from contender to World Series winner to baseball superpower, is 17=5.  —  Seventeen minor league prospects (one still to be named) exchanged as needs arose for five extraordinary All-Star talents.

Analysis: What happened to Pirates' pitching?  —  So, what went wrong?  —  The obvious culprit in the Pirates' epic collapse, including the 7-3 loss to San Diego yesterday at PNC Park that extended a losing streak to 10 games, is the pitching that led to their stunning ascent to the top of the Central Division.