Starlin Castro's space cadet routine draws Bobby V's ire  —  Over the course of a season, I'm guessing it's an impossible task for any player outside of the battery to be 100 percent dialed into every pitch of a 162-game season.  The mind can wander, the mind can zone out, the mind can see something without seeing anything.

Weaver signs five-year extension with Angels  —  The Angels secured a big part of their present and future on Sunday, signing All-Star starter Jered Weaver to a five-year, $85 million contract, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com.  —  The extension will be announced in a news conference Tuesday …

Mets broach Mike Pelfrey to bullpen, R.A. Dickey gets little support as Mets fall to Brewers, 6-2  —  Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey gives up two runs on six hits Sunday.  The Mets ask Mike Pelfrey (below) is he would be open to closing next year - an indictment of the current bullpen.

Timetable for Duncan's return unknown  —  CHICAGO — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak could not say whether pitching coach Dave Duncan would rejoin the club in time for tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Dodgers.  —  Duncan left the club Friday night for personal reasons.

A.J. Burnett spot in question  —  NEW YORK — With A.J. Burnett having his “typical terrible August,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the pitcher's five-year, $82.5 million contract will not prevent him from being dropped from the rotation.  —  “No, money is never going to be a factor,” Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com.

Ricketts in prime position to hire next GM  —  FOX Sports  —  Man, I would like to be Tom Ricketts right now.  —  I'd be the owner of the Cubs - pretty sweet.  And I'd be in position to hire just about any general manager I wanted.  —  Not everyone is available: The Red Sox's Theo Epstein …

McKeon rips Marlins after they're swept by Padres  —  SAN DIEGO (AP)—Manager Jack McKeon had some harsh words for his staggering Florida Marlins.  —  “You have to start using your brain and figuring out how to get hitters out,” McKeon said after the Marlins lost 4-3 on Sunday as the San Diego Padres completed a four-game sweep.

Laffey odd man out on A-Rod's return  —  MINNEAPOLIS — With the Yankees activating Alex Rodriguez from the disabled list on Sunday, recently acquired lefty Aaron Laffey was the odd man out, as he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  —  Laffey made his debut for the Yankees on Saturday night …

Larry Jaster: Dominating the Dodgers like no other  —  The iconic Los Angeles Dodgers come to town on Monday, defaced by a messy divorce and ownership dispute.  It wasn't always this way.  —  Back in 1966, it was perfectly clear who owned the Boys in Blue.