Lucchino ‘amped’ for Yankees series  —  Red Sox president dismisses Epstein rumors  —  BOSTON — Red Sox president Larry Lucchino feels the three-game series his club and the Yankees start on Tuesday still carries its regular cachet, despite the likelihood both teams make the playoffs.

Berkman on trade: ‘That ship has sailed’  —  MILWAUKEE — Cardinals right fielder Lance Berkman has informed general manager John Mozeliak that he would not consider returning to the club as a free agent this winter if he is traded this week to the Texas Rangers.

Ozzie may walk if no extension by Opening Day  —  CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Tuesday that he is prepared to walk on the final year of his contract in 2012 if the team doesn't have a extension in place for him before Opening Day in April.

What will C.J. be worth?  —  Last winter, the free agent pitcher headlines were dominated by the courting of Cliff Lee.  Everyone seemed to be following his contract negotiations with the Phillies, Rangers and Yankees.  Sure there were other semi-big players on the market, but he was the one to sign.

Strasburg will return to Nats for Tuesday's start  —  ATLANTA — Washington manager Davey Johnson on Tuesday confirmed plans for Stephen Strasburg to make his first 2011 start for the Nationals on Sept. 6.  —  Strasburg will start for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday.

Santiago homers in bottom of 10th, Tigers beat Royals  —  DETROIT — Ramon Santiago hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.  —  Santiago, who entered the game in the eighth as a pinch-runner …

Orioles' MacPhail could start GM exodus with resignation  —  BALTIMORE - Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, has reached a decision on his future in the Baltimore Orioles organization, but plans to wait until season's end before announcing his intentions.

Santana, Hannahan Homers to Lift Indians Over A's  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Santana and Jack Hannahan hit two-run homers for Cleveland and the scrappy Indians kept pace in the AL Central race by beating the Oakland Athletics 6-2 on Tuesday night.  —  Jeanmar Gomez (1-2) …

Blue Jays sign pitching prospect Roberto Osuna  —  When Toronto Blue Jays scouts first saw Roberto Osuna pitch, they new the team had to have him.  —  The club got their man Tuesday, signing the 16-year-old Mexican right-hander and six other international prospects to contracts.

Final Score: Marlins 6 Mets 0  —  The Mets lost to the Marlins by the score of 6-0 tonight at Citi Field.  —  For a full recap and box score, check out SNY.TV.  —  The Least You Should Know  — Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets and really pitched well although he ultimately allowed four runs …

Rangers' Wilson ‘recharged’ by cooling chamber  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson stepped into a chamber at Millennium Ice in Plano on Tuesday to experience whole body cryotherapy and said a few things ran through his mind as the temperature dropped.

Technology — namely the iPad — is changing the way the game is played … Once upon a time, it was all so simple.  Pitchers pitched.  Hitters hit.  If the stars lined up, somebody with a glove caught what they hit.  And that's how baseball games were decided.  —  Boy, how 1963 was that, huh?