Centrists

Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier could rejoin the lineup as soon as Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ethier was projected to be sidelined up to six weeks by a broken pinkie finger, but his timetable has been advanced because of a splint he can wear while hitting.

Although manager Joe Torre hinted that a Sunday return might be optimistic, the team will make a decision after Ethier faces righthander Vicente Padilla in a simulated game Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ethier, who has experienced no problems in live batting practice, leads the majors with a .392 average and ranks among the National League leaders with 11 homers and 38 RBIs, despite being sidelined since May 14.

Cubs righthander Carlos Zambrano is expected to return to the rotation next week in Pittsburgh, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The righthander went 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA in four starts before being moved to the bullpen, where he posted a 4.76 ERA in 11 relief appearances. He is expected to pitch in relief at least once more before starting Monday or Tuesday.

With Zambrano returning to the starting five, the newspaper speculated lefthander Tom Gorzelanny could be shifted from the rotation to the bullpen to make room for him. Gorzelanny, who will start tonight against the Dodgers, is 2-4 with a 3.09 ERA in eight starts this season.

Dan Lozano, the agent for Albert Pujols, is leaving Beverly Hills Sports Council to start his own agency, according to media reports.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports Pujols and the rest of Lozano’s clients are expected to stay with him. ESPN earlier reported Lozano’s departure.

The Pujols tie is signficant because Lozano has been negotiating with the Cardinals to keep the MVP first baseman in St. Louis long term. Pujols can become a free agent after this season if St. Louis declines his $16 million option for 2011. The Cardinals are expected to exercise the option.

Injured Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier is healing quickly and could return to action as early as next week.

Ethier (broken finger) took batting practice Tuesday in Chicago and is scheduled to participate in a simulated game Saturday in Denver. MLB.com and the Los Angeles Times speculate that if Ethier does well in the simulated game, he could be activated on Sunday, when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list.

"As of right now, there’s no indication why not," Ethier told reporters.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre said a Sunday return might be too ambitious, but he sounded encouraged by Ethier’s recovery.

"He’s doing a lot of things we didn’t anticipate this early," Torre told reporters. "We want it to feel normal. The last thing we want is to get him into bad habits. If it’s uncomfortable, you know he’ll have trouble doing it."

Phillies fans are doing their part to get their favorite players to this year’s MLB All-Star Game.

The latest voting results show five Philadelphia regulars in position to start the game: second baseman Chase Utley (the NL’s leading vote-getter), injured shortstop Jimmy Rollins, third baseman Placido Polanco and outfielders Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino.

First baseman Ryan Howard is second to Albert Pujols, and catcher Carlos Ruiz is second to St. Louis’ Yadier Molina.

The only laggard is left fielder Raul Ibanez, who is eighth among outfielders.

The 2010 All-Star Game is scheduled for July 13 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

National League All-Star voting

(Released Tuesday)

First Base
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals, 647,666
2. Ryan Howard, Phillies, 329,673
3. Prince Fielder, Brewers, 200,395
4. James Loney, Dodgers, 116,850
5. Lance Berkman, Astros, 112,589

Second Base
1. Chase Utley, Phillies, 687,724
2. Rickie Weeks, Brewers, 169,941
3. Martin Prado, Braves, 134,993
4. Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks, 118,342
5. Skip Schumaker, Cardinals, 112,365

Third Base
1. Placido Polanco, Phillies, 309,458
2. David Wright, Mets, 236,387
3. Casey McGehee, Brewers, 185,312
4. Pablo Sandoval, Giants, 160,179
5. Chipper Jones, Braves, 143,558

Shortstop
1. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies, 340,747
2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins, 309,244
3. Alcides Escobar, Brewers, 151,710
4. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers, 144,209
5. Jose Reyes, Mets, 137,321

Catcher
1. Yadier Molina, Cardinals, 316,795
2. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies, 259,227
3. Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals, 247,998
4. Brian McCann, Braves, 203,377
5. Russell Martin, Dodgers, 160,698

Outfield
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers, 423,834
2. Jayson Werth, Phillies, 365,402
3. Shane Victorino, Phillies, 348,841
4. Andre Ethier, Dodgers, 316,383
5. Matt Holliday, Cardinals, 309,463
6. Jason Heyward, Braves, 304,547
7. Matt Kemp, Dodgers, 249,554
8. Raul Ibanez, Phillies, 248,450
9. Manny Ramirez, Dodgers, 217,694
10. Jason Bay, Mets, 191,181
11. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs, 177,061
12. Jim Edmonds, Brewers, 162,130
13. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks, 154,502
14. Carlos Gomez, Brewers, 140,145
15. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals, 139,519

Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg, the top overall pick in the 2009 draft, will make his next Triple-A start Saturday, according to The Washington Post.

Although the Nationals haven’t made an official announcement, there has been speculation that Strasburg will make his major league debut June 4. That is Washington’s first home game in June, and it comes on the heels of a 10-game road trip that starts tonight.

Thus, Saturday’s minor league start could be Strasburg’s last before his major league promotion.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, though, said a date for Strasburg’s "hasn’t been determined yet."

He told reporters before Tuesday’s game, "There are factors that will be involved when we announce it. And even when we announce it, it’s not going to be settled on until after a couple days after he starts his last start in Triple A."

In nine starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Strasburg is 6-1 with a 0.99 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.

"He’s been great," Rizzo said. "He’s a diligent worker. He works his butt off physically. He prepares terrifically. He’s a big, physical guy. I think he’s held up terrifically. For his first taste of this on an everyday basis, I think he’s doing great."

Seeking a spark for their struggling offense, Giants general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy have discussed lineup changes, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Among the possible tweaks: first baseman Aubrey Huff moving to left field (in place of the injured Mark DeRosa), third baseman Pablo Sandoval shifting to first base, second baseman Freddy Sanchez taking over at third base and infielder Juan Uribe starting at second base.

That plan may need to be put on hold. Renteria tweaked a hamstring injury Tuesday night and Bochy said his shortstop "could be down for a little while."

For now, however, Sabean told the newspaper that the Giants won’t promote prospect Buster Posey, who can catch and play first base. According to Sabean, the Giants want to make sure Posey is ready and that they can guarantee him regular playing time before he is recalled. At this time, Bengie Molina still is the starter behind the plate.

DeRosa is eligible to come off the disabled list but likely won’t be activated until next week at the earliest. He told reporters Tuesday that he will travel to Baltimore this week to get a second opinion on his surgically repaired wrist. He has been diagnosed with nerve inflammation.

The Nationals have settled on who they will select first overall in next month’s draft, general manager Mike Rizzo tells CSN Washington’s Mark Zuckerman.

Rizzo did not disclose his choice, but most people expect the Nats will take 17-year-old catcher Bryce Harper, who is coming off a monster weekend for the College of Southern Nevada. His hitting helped propel the team to the Junior College World Series.

This is the second consecutive season Washington has had the top pick in the draft. Last year it selected Stephen Strasburg, who reportedly could make his major league debut next week.