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With expectations for the Cubs as high as ? well, ever ? it?s safe to say that the first half of the season was a disappointment. Key injuries, slumping stars and miscues in the field have contributed to a humbling .500 record. ??You can?t be perfect every day,?? Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

Most of the Mets will take the next few days to recharge from an injury-riddled first half, but two of their banged-up stars will continue working in Florida. The Mets were encouraged by some positive injury news from Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado.

Gary Sheffield had three RBIs and Daniel Murphy drove in two runs to key a rare robust offense, Mike Pelfrey pitched seven sharp innings and the New York Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-7 on Sunday. The Citi Field crowd of 40,014 took delight in the Mets' best offensive output at home since June 24, when they scored 11 against St. Louis.

By JEFF WILSON The one thing the three Texas Rangers All-Star selections this year have in common is, of course, talent. Above-average, difference-making talent.Josh Hamilton can hit a baseball farther than perhaps anyone else in the game, and his speed and arm strength help make him a quality defender.Nelson Cruz has plenty of pop, too, and he seems to have his career in order after bouncing between the majors and minors the previous four seasons.Michael Young just keeps on hitting, and in times when it seems players’ selfish acts throughout sports grab TV time and newspaper headlines, Young impresses his peers by playing hard and putting his team first.The Rangers’ trio each took a different route to the 80th All-Star Game on Tuesday at St. Louis. Hamilton was voted in by the fans, Young by the players, and Cruz is an injury replacement.But within that difference comes another similarity.Each is awed and honored to represent the American League and be a part of the Midsu

Injury scare gives Parker perspective

Injuries have forced Angels Manager Mike Scioscia to experiment with his lineups. Wood, normally a shortstop and third baseman, gets a start at first, and it works out well enough. So this is what Manager Mike Scioscia meant when, after Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero went on the disabled list Friday, he said he would have to get a little 'creative' with his lineups.

Injuries have forced Angels Manager Mike Scioscia to experiment with his lineups. Wood, normally a shortstop and third baseman, gets a start at first, and it works out well enough. So this is what Manager Mike Scioscia meant when, after Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero went on the disabled list Friday, he said he would have to get a little 'creative' with his lineups.

Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes gave the New York Mets injury updates the team was happy to receive. The injured stars had encouraging workouts Sunday, and judging by the way manager Jerry Manuel beamed when discussing their progress it must have seemed like the first bit of good news in a couple of miserable months for the banged-up club. Reyes and Delgado are on the disabled list along with Carlos Beltran (knee), John Maine (shoulder) and J.J.

Israel wrapped up its stunning Davis Cup win over Russia on Sunday after clinching its first semifinal appearance a day earlier. The final score was 4-1 after Harel Levy beat Igor Kunitsyn in the last reverse singles match 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (2). Earlier, Israel's top player, Dudi Sela, retired with a hand injury in his match against Igor Andreev with the Russian leading 4-3 in the first set.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Kevin Slowey had a setback with a wrist injury and will not make his scheduled start after the All-Star break. The Twins were hoping Slowey would be able to throw on Sunday to test how the wrist reacted to a cortisone shot. But manager Ron Gardenhire says the pitcher was not able to throw. Slowey will instead try to throw on Wednesday. Rookie Anthony Swarzak will make Slowey's next start, which was slated for July 21 at Oakland.