The Arizona Diamondbacks activated shortstop Stephen Drew for Tuesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds and placed outfielder Conor Jackson (illness) on the disabled list.

Roadrunners Roster

The Arizona Fall League begins today with three games -- Surprise Rafters at Peoria Javelinas (12:35 p.m.), Mesa Solar Sox at Phoenix Desert Dogs (12:35 p.m.) and Peoria Saguaros at Scottsdale Scorpions (6:35 p.m.).

The Suns have picked a 12-member team to take part in a summer league for young pros in Las Vegas.

Players to Watch

The struggling Arizona Diamondbacks called up outfielder Gerardo Parra from Double-A Mobile and placed him in the starting lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah, is the clubhouse leader at the 63rd annual Arizona Open at The Golf Club Scottsdale after Friday’s second round.

The game could have a significant bearing on the Cardinals’ playoff positioning — or it could be irrelevant. Arizona could move up to a No. 2 seed if things fall right in the early games and they beat the Packers. 

The Cardinals already have clinched the NFC West title, and there’s little chance of them grabbing a higher playoff seed. So the two goals today against the hapless Rams are simple: Stay sharp and stay healthy.

The Cardinals can clinch the NFC West if they beat Detroit and San Francisco loses to Philadelphia. Arizona was embarrassed by its performance against the 49ers on Monday Night Football, and they usually bounce back when they’re feeling disrespected, so look for them to quickly and unmercifully take out the Lions.

The Cardinals can clinch their second consecutive NFC West title by beating the 49ers in San Francisco. Although the 49ers would seem to have the emotional edge given that their playoff hopes hang by a thread, Arizona is bent on avenging its season-opening loss. Also, the Cardinals want to prove to a “Monday Night Football” audience that they can back up their impressive victory over the Vikings with another stellar effort.

The Cardinals have a comfortable two-game lead in the NFC West thanks to San Francisco losing at home to Tennessee last week. Now Arizona has to improve its home record, which stands at 1-3. Losing to lowly Carolina just two weeks ago should motivate the Cardinals to be at their best; they know what happens when they don’t prepare or play well.

Some view this as a trap game for the Cardinals, who are coming off an emotional victory over the New York Giants. Plus, Carolina will be looking to avenge its playoff loss to Arizona last season. The Panthers, however, just might not have the firepower to hang with Arizona.

Arizona visits Seattle to take on the Seahawks at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Here's what to look for:

The skinny: The Cardinals begin defense of their NFC championship with a home game against the 49ers. Arizona would seem to have the edge, playing at University of Phoenix Stadium. But San Francisco matches up well with Arizona; had the 49ers not botched an offensive possession at the goal line last year, they would have come away with a road win. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers’ physical training camp pays dividends. Ken Whisenhunt insists his team is physically prepared and scoffs at the notion that he ran a soft camp.

PHOENIX - Brandon Phillips drove in four runs and the Cincinnati Reds beat the stumbling Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

LOS ANGELES - ABC has cultivated a marketing campaign for “Pushing Daisies” that could make producers of other new shows green with envy.

Milwaukee now owns the bookends on each side of the streak the Diamondbacks used to get into first place in the NL West.

TUCSON - Arizona State has run a trick play with quarterback Rudy Carpenter standing back in punt formation a few times this season. On Saturday against Arizona, it worked — sort of.

LOS ANGELES - Chad Tracy and the Diamondbacks know how to keep a secret. Tracy was held out of the lineup Sunday after aggravating a left knee injury that has bothered him since . . . spring training.

A little more than a week ago, John Salmons had five-year, $20 million-plus contracts on the table from both Phoenix and Toronto.

Suns All-Star forward Amaré Stoudemire will be out a minimum four months after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee Tuesday morning. The target date for Stoudemire's return is the All-Star Break (Feb 17-19), but that is only if each step of his recovery meets all of its target dates.

The Suns put up over 2,000 3-point field goals last year — and departed starters Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson took more than half of them.

Some weight gain was good, some wasn't, according to Arizona State football coach Dirk Koetter.