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.

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.

Heath Bell, Carlos Pena, Kubel Placed On Waivers  —  Heath Bell, Jason Kubel, and Carlos Pena were placed on trade waivers today, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Rosenthal tweeted earlier about Jim Thome being placed, also.  The placement on waivers starts a 48 hour period during which teams can put in claims.

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.

Red Sox's Ellsbury out again; likely in Tuesday  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was not in the lineup Monday night for the third consecutive game due to a bruised back, but he's expected to return on Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona.

Jered Weaver and Park Effects  —  Over the next few days, you're going to read an awful lot about how Jered Weaver left money on the table to re-sign with the Angels and pitch close to home.  That is almost certainly true, since he probably could have commanded a significantly larger deal …

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.

Strasburg returns to form in rehab start … HAGERSTOWN — On the heels of perhaps the worst outing of his brief professional career, Stephen Strasburg returned to form Monday night with three solid innings of work in his latest rehab start.  —  Strasburg allowed two runs (one earned) …

Brewers Extend Mastery of Pirates in DH Opener  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Narveson pitched shutout ball and knocked in two runs after coming off the disabled list, leading the streaking Milwaukee Brewers to an 8-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opening game of a doubleheader Monday.

Nationals beat punchless Diamondbacks 4-1  —  WASHINGTON — Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer, Ross Detwiler took a four-hitter into the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals beat Arizona 4-1 Monday night to extend the Diamondbacks' losing streak to a season-high six games.

Indians put Travis Hafner on DL  —  The Cleveland Indians have put designated hitter Travis Hafner on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right foot.  —  General manager Chris Antonetti announced the move Monday before the Indians opened a series against Seattle.