BALTIMORE - Former Hollywood lobbyist Jack Valenti has checked out of a hospital, weeks after being treated for a stroke, a hospital official said Wednesday.

LAS VEGAS - Houston and the Los Angels Angels have joined the list of teams which have expressed interest in Randy Johnson after meeting with Johnson’s representatives here, sources said.

Randy Johnson will earn $26 million on the new two-year contract he signed after consenting to a trade to rejoin the Diamondbacks, a move that could be finalized after a physical exam today.

LOS ANGELES - Jack Valenti, the former White House aide and film industry lobbyist who instituted the modern movie ratings system and guided Hollywood from the censorship era to the digital age, died Thursday. He was 85.

ATLANTA -

The most efficient strikeout pitcher in major league history tied another milestone Thursday, although he could not prevent a San Francisco sweep.

TUCSON - The Diamondbacks’ split with Randy Johnson in late 2004 was hardly amicable. While the D-Backs committed a combined $78 million to free agents Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz, they asked Johnson to play a year for free.

Randy Johnson ended his second spring start with a flourish, finishing with 15 straight strikes Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe.

DENVER Adam Dunn watched Ken Griffey reach 600 home runs this season, so he has firsthand experience with the pursuit of excellence.

His back OK, Randy Johnson is officially back. Johnson was cleared by the Diamondbacks’ medical staff after a physical exam Monday, when commissioner Bud Selig also signed off on the financial arrangements that will return Johnson to his Valley home with a two-year, $26 million contract. He will be introduced at a 1 p.m. press conference at Chase Field today.

Randy Johnson may have a chance to win his 300th game in the NL West after all. The Diamondbacks' division foes San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams that have inquired about Johnson's availability for the 2009 season, according to major league sources familiar with the situation.

Randy Johnson is making progress in his return from October back surgery, although his availability for the start of the regular season remains uncertain.

If Randy Johnson lands anywhere this offseason, it is more and more likely that it will be right back home with the Diamondbacks.

The New York Yankees are seeking a package of three young pitchers from the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson, including at least one reliever, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.

Rookie safety Michael Johnson has found his niche in the Giants' nickel and dime packages, and his alert tackle created a fumble in the NFC title game victory over Green Bay.

LOS ANGELES - Randy Johnson still has a room for his drum kit in his Paradise Valley home, where he also displays his collection of sports and musical memorabilia.

The Diamondbacks appear close to welcoming Randy Johnson home. Johnson, who won four Cy Young awards during his previous six-year stay in Arizona, could join the D-Backs as early as this weekend in a trade that would send reliever Luis Vizcaino and at least one young starting pitcher to the New York Yankees, a major league source with direct knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday.

The second coming of Randy Johnson is only days away. Johnson and the Diamondbacks have reached an agreement on the financial language on Johnson’s new two-year contract with the D-Backs, sources with direct knowledge of the talks said Saturday, effectively cementing his reacquisition from the New York Yankees in a five-player deal.

NASCAR Nextel Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson and 2002 Cup champion Tony Stewart didn’t part the best of friends Saturday night.

Stephanie Anfinson nearly choked when she saw her water bill for the month of July.

Randy Johnson walked slowly off the mound, doing his best to disguise a slight limp, and touched his cap to acknowledge the fans behind the Diamondbacks’ dugout as he exited Thursday.

BALTIMORE - The Diamondbacks will place Randy Johnson on the disabled list because of the soreness in his gluteus maximus muscle that forced him out of his scheduled start today.

WASHINGTON - Twelve days can be an eternity in baseball, when weather and injuries can ruin even the firmest schedule. However, if all goes well in Randy Johnson’s final two scheduled rehabilitation starts, he is likely to make his Diamondbacks’ 2007 debut against San Diego on April 19 at Petco Park, the D-Backs privately believe.