NL West

Late Monday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers proved once again that they mean business.

Several months after signing star center fielder Matt Kemp to an eight-year, $160 million contract extension, the Dodgers came to terms with right fielder Andre Ethier on a five-year extension worth $85 million.

Prior to Saturday’s afternoon game vs. the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park, Giants manager Bruce Bochy was asked numerous questions about Pablo Sandoval.   Affectionately known as the “Panda,” Sandoval was activated from the 15-day disabled list today after missing 35 games while rehabbing from surgery on a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist. 

On a day after scoring eight runs on 15 hits, and 19 runs over the last three games, the Giants surging offense was brought to a screeching halt Friday evening. Scattering just five hits over eight innings, Matt Harrison (8-3) pitched a complete-game shutout for the Rangers while Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton homered to beat the Giants 5-0.    

Well, it looks like that day has finally come, and after going 0-for-3 in Friday night's shutout, long-time minor league first baseman Brett Pill finally returns from whence he came, Triple-A Fresno.

According to the Giants Twitter, the G-men have activated All-Star third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who missed several weeks with surgery, and demoted Brett Pill back to the minors.

It certainly gets hot in the desert. Right now, things are starting to boil over.

Arizona Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick was featured on Prostopreps.com via telephone interview with Brad Cesmat on Monday. In the interview, he questioned Stephen Drew’s commitment to returning to the field this season and referred to All-Star outfielder Justin Upton as an “enigma.”

In the sporting world, we often exaggerate ultimately meaningless moments with lofty words like "redemption."

The Boston Celtics win back-to-back games at home to tie the Eastern Conference Finals? That's not redemption. Albert Pujols smashes a home run to break out of a slump? That's not redemption. Tiger Woods wins the 2012 Memorial Championship after months of struggling? That's not redemption.

The Padres must resist the urge to pull the trigger on the multiple offers that will inevitably come at them for third baseman Chase Headley.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported:

On May 18th, Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis strained his hamstring against the St. Louis Cardinals and was placed on the 15-day disabled list the following day, adding his name to a long list of Dodgers who have spent time on the disabled list this season.

Just in case you've hibernated for the past two years, let me update you on the Giants' pitching.

Jonathan Sanchez is no longer a Giant. Ryan Vogelsong has stepped in and pitched very well. Barry Zito is playing well. Brian Wilson has a beard, Sergio Romo does too, and Javier Lopez was traded to the Giants and he has played very well.

Oh, and there's also this other guy named Madison Bumgarner, and he's pretty good.

It all made perfect sense for Dodgers fans.

With new ownership on its way and an underwhelming pitching staff to begin the season, the presence of Roy Oswalt in free agency seemed too appealing to pass up. Having not found a place to pitch by opening day, Oswalt announced he would wait a couple of months before deciding where he would play in 2012.