Yankee trouble: Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez out with injuries  —  BALTIMORE — New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who feared Sunday that his bruised knee was much more serious, still likely will be out several games, including a key series against the Boston Red Sox.

Berkman among Rangers' options if Cruz replacement needed  —  St. Louis' Lance Berkman is the top alternative should the Texas Rangers decide they need an outfielder to fill in for the injured Nelson Cruz.  —  Cruz came out of Sunday's win against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning because of a strained left hamstring.

Ethier backs off comments in column  —  LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier was not in the Dodgers' lineup on Sunday.  But he was in a meeting with general manager Ned Colletti and manager Don Mattingly, and then in an examination with Dr. Neal ElAttrache to sort out the truth and consequences of his right knee.

10 things I didn't know about managerial match-ups  —  This Saturday, an oddball bit of trivial baseball history will silently happen.  For the first time in the big leagues since July, 1984, two rival managers will face off against each other in the regular season for the 200th …

Plenty of room for debate on MVP discussion, plus my picks … Blue Jays star Jose Bautista deserves strong consideration for the American League MVP award, and if someone thinks he's the MVP because he's been the best player in the league, that's understandable.

Ledezma designated for assignment  —  TORONTO — Left-hander Wil Ledezma was designated for assignment following the Blue Jays' 12-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon.  —  Ledezma was brought out to start the ninth inning in a 6-0 game but struggled to get through the frame.

Perfect Sox storm?  —  They're rested, Yankees aren't  —  Getting two games in Saturday and winning both put the Red Sox in an advantageous position in the American League East relative to the Yankees, who have a busy schedule the rest of the way, including West Coast travel and makeup games.

Where Chipper ranks among all-time 3B  —  If you're an Atlanta Braves fan, maybe you remember the rookie Bobby Cox entrusted to hit third in the lineup in the 1995 World Series.  Or maybe you remember September of 1999, when Chipper Jones hit 10 home runs, including two solo shots in a 2-1 victory over the Mets.

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Carlos Gonzalez helps Rockies defeat Dodgers 7-6  —  LOS ANGELES — Carlos Gonzalez doesn't get paid to hit.  He gets paid to multitask, and you could argue that no player in the major leagues does it as well as CarGo.  —  How deep does his tool drawer run?

Kennedy first to 17 wins in NL as Diamondbacks beat Padres  —  PHOENIX — The foundation of Arizona's success this season has come from its ability to get production throughout the lineup, so it was no surprise when two of the team's newest players came through against San Diego.  —  Ian Kennedy?