McLaren fired as manager  —  Just got the word.  John McLaren is out as manager of the Mariners.  Bench coach Jim Riggleman has been promoted to the position.  —  Press conference at 11:30 a.m.  —  “John worked extremely hard, but our team continued to under perform compared to our expectations of them …

Jerry pitches in to help Wright  —  ANAHEIM - No, Jerry Manuel wasn't glad he had to make a point about his authority as manager one batter into his first game at the helm.  —  Manuel met resistance from a helmet-tossing Jose Reyes on Tuesday night, when the shortstop's left hamstring tightened and he didn't want to leave the game.

Jays notebook: Ricciardi trashes Adam Dunn on radio show  —  Slugger Adam Dunn lacks a passion for baseball and definitely will not become a Toronto Blue Jay, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Wednesday night.  —  Dunn, who plays for the Cincinnati Reds, is often mentioned in trade rumours …

Perception on Mets' Bernazard: He's a bad, bad guy  —  Among their many travails during this trying time, the Mets have this going for them:  —  They now employ the most famous vice president of development in baseball history.  —  Omar Minaya left here Tuesday, after trying to defend …

Zambrano removed with shoulder discomfort as Cubs lose to Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Carlos Zambrano will fly to Chicago on Thursday to have his right shoulder examined after leaving Wednesday night's game in the seventh inning with shoulder discomfort.

Angels could really use a power boost  —  Mark Teixeira would top the Angels' wish list, if only he were available.  Ken Rosenthal says they need a slugger to close the gap.

Inside Pitch: Minaya may be next to go  —  General manager could be on hot seat as Mets underachieve  —  Willie Randolph's run as New York Mets manager came to an end this week after 3 1/2 years on the job.  —  General manager Omar Minaya might follow Randolph out of town if the Mets don't turn things around.

MRI exam shows Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda has tendinitis  —  Pitcher has been scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against Cleveland.  —  CINCINNATI — Diagnosed on Wednesday with tendinitis and an impingement in his right shoulder, Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was scratched …

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad  —  My Dad, George Lederer, turns 80 years old today.  Had he lived, Dad would have joined the octogenarian club.  However, he barely made it to 50.  He died nearly 30 years ago of malignant melanoma.  —  It was truly an unfortunate set of circumstances that caused his death.

Tavarez designed for assignment  —  The Brewers made room on their roster today to activate reliever David Riske from the DL by designating reliever Julian Tavarez for assignment.  —  The Brewers signed Tavarez a few weeks ago to a minimum-salary contract after he was released by Boston …

Marlins' No. 1 pick agrees to deal  —  Skipworth will start in Gulf Coast League  —  SEATTLE - The Marlins have agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Kyle Skipworth pending a physical, according to a source who has spoken with club officials.  —  Skipworth, a catcher out of Patriot High School …

Pirates Notebook: GM says .500 mark will not influence moves  —  CHICAGO — If the Pirates' management decides to keep its current roster intact all season, rather than trading key pieces for young talent, it will not be because of a wish to finish .500 or better and break the franchise's 15-year losing streak.

YANKS FIND SIX-CESS  —  DESPITE STRUGGLES, RASNER GETS VICTORY  —  Six straight starts from the rotation without an implosion, six consecutive wins, six games above .500.  The Yankees have either made some sort of deal with the devil or they are actually playing to their potential.