MILWAUKEE - The Brewers are extremely close to a deal to acquire Indians ace C.C. Sabathia in a trade that bolsters their rotation for a playoff push, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The person requested anonymity because the trade has not been finalized and said there were a few remaining issues to work out.

Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA to win the AL Cy Young last season and would give the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

The big lefty is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Indians but has also been plagued with a lack of run support. In nine of his 18 starts, Cleveland has scored two runs or less for him.

To get Sabathia, Milwaukee will have to part with a package of prospects including Matt LaPorta, a power hitting left fielder selected in the first round last year who was scratched from a Double-A game in Huntsville last night.

Bosox, Cubs dominate AL, NL all-star rosters

NEW YORK - Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and Cubs leadoff man Alfonso Soriano will see lots of familiar faces at the All-Star Game.

A record seven Chicago Cubs were joined by seven Boston stars when rosters were announced yesterday for the July 15 event at Yankee Stadium.

The New York Yankees will be well represented, too, for the game at their own ballpark: Top vote-getter Alex Rodriguez, captain Derek Jeter and reliever Mariano Rivera were picked.

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Joe Saunders (12-4, 3.04 ERA), a former Virginia Tech star, was named to the AL squad. New York Mets closer Billy Wagner (19 saves, 1.85 ERA), from Ferrum, was selected for the NL stars.

The Tampa Bay Rays, with the best record in the majors, did not have a single player elected to start. Pitcher Scott Kazmir and catcher Dioner Navarro were added to the AL squad.

There was only one change in the final week of fan voting for starters - Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun overtook Ken Griffey Jr. in the NL outfield. Griffey finished fourth and was left off the team.

Damon goes on DL with shoulder injury

NEW YORK - Johnny Damon went on the disabled list for the first time in his major-league career after 13½ seasons and 1,927 regular-season games.

The New York Yankees outfielder sprained and bruised his left shoulder when he crashed into the left-field fence trying for a leaping catch against Boston on Friday.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said it was "50-50" whether Damon would be able to return after two weeks but that the injury will not require surgery. With Hideki Matsui (sore left knee) also on the DL, rookie Brett Gardner will become the Yankees' regular left fielder.

Elsewhere