Dave Burba

Astros: Houston is 14-3 since the All-Star break. Pitcher Sid Fernandez, who has appeared in one game this season, suffered pain above his left elbow in a simulated game on Sunday, setting back his return to the club. His status is listed as day to day.Blue Jays: Roger Clemens made Fernando Vina the 2,773rd strikeout victim of his career, moving into a tie with Frank Tanana for 14th all-time.Braves: Andruw Jones is 5-for-43 (.116) over his past 11 games, but four of the hits are homers.Cubs: Chicago (43-63)

AMERICAN LEAGUE Who's hot Eric Milton of the Twins has lost only once in his last 15 starts. Who's not Chuck Finley of the Indians allowed five runs in four innings in his first big-league game since June 26. Line of the day Barry Zito, A's pitcher IP ........ R ....... H ...... SO ....... BB 9 .......... 0 ....... 4 ........ 3 ........... 2 NATIONAL LEAGUE Who's hot Arizona's defense leads the National League with a .986 fielding percentage. Who's not The Brewers fell a season-low 18 games under .500 (47-65)

Team Roch Kubatko's comment 1. Braves (1) Is it still a race with only one team? 2. Diamondbacks (3) Big mistake making Randy mad. 3.Yankees (2) What's wrong with Mussina? 4.Mariners (5) Bret Boone has caught fire. 5.Angels (6) Leaving marks on Mariners' heels. 6.Twins (4) Lose three games and Milton in Baltimore. 7.Red Sox (7) Pedro looks better than ever. 8.Athletics (8) Much too good for third place. 9.Giants (10) This team's about more than just Bonds. 10.Dodgers (11) Ishii has 8.10 ERA in past four starts.

The 75 players who filed for salary arbitration yesterday and will exchange salary figures with their teams Tuesday:American LeagueOrioles (5) -- Jeffrey Hammonds, OF; Terry Mathews, RHP; Alan Mills, RHP; Mike Mussina, RHP; Arthur Rhodes, LHP. Anaheim (1) -- Allen Watson, LHP. Boston (8) -- Jeff Frye, 2B; Reggie Jefferson, 1B; Pat Mahomes, RHP; Troy O'Leary, OF; Aaron Sele, RHP; Heathcliff Slocumb, RHP; John Valentin, SS; Tim Wakefield, RHP. Chicago (2) -- Wilson Alvarez, LHP; Roberto Hernandez, RHP. Detroit (4)

BASEBALL American League* CHICAGO WHITE SOX -- Recalled Roberto Hernandez, pitcher, from Vancouver of the Pacific Coast League. Sent Matt Merullo, catcher, to Vancouver.* NEW YORK YANKEES -- Activated Jesse Barfield, outfielder, from the 15-day disabled list. Optioned Pat Kelly, infielder, to Columbus of the International League.* OAKLAND ATHLETICS -- Activated Rickey Henderson, outfielder, from the 15-day disabled list. Placed Randy Ready, infielder, on the 15-day disabled list.National League* FLORIDA MARLINS -- Named Adolfo Salgueiro assistant media relations director.

BaseballBaltimore Orioles -- Announced that OF Darrell Sherman (.295, 3 HRs, 48 RBI, 43 stolen bases for Padres' Class AA club last season) agreed to terms on a contract for the 1992 season.California Angels -- Signed C Mike Fitzgerald (.202, 4 HRs, 28 RBI) to a one-year, minor-league contract worth $350,000.Minnesota Twins -- Agreed to terms on a one-year contract with P Willie Banks.Montreal Expos -- Agreed to terms on a one-year contract with P Chris Nabholz (Towson State alum; 8-7, 3.63 ERA)

New Orioles manager Davey Johnson isn't exactly sure what his team needs in possible trades, and he has little idea what is being offered by other clubs. So he and Orioles farm director Syd Thrift began talking to other executives yesterday at the major-league general manager meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the idea of doing a little early reconnaissance."We're going to see what's stirring around," said Thrift, who is representing the Orioles at the request of Orioles owner Peter Angelos, who is in the process of picking a new general manager.

Moves Baseball ASTROS: Assigned P Dave Burba, C Dax Norris, C Chris Tremie, P Phil Norton, former Orioles P Travis Driskill, IF Mike Coolbaugh, IF Carlos Rivera and former Orioles OF Trenidad Hubbard to minor league camp. BRAVES: Released OF Roosevelt Brown. BREWERS: Released P Brooks Kieschnick. CARDINALS: Traded P Mike Myers to Red Sox for OF Carlos de la Cruz and P Kevin Ool. Optioned P Carmen Cali and C Cody McKay to Triple-A Memphis. CUBS: Acquired P Cliff Bartosh from Indians for P Ronald Bay. MARINERS: Assigned IF Benji Gil to Triple-A Norfolk of Mets organization in exchange for cash.