Torre in different place from Yanks  —  Skipper on cusp of in playoffs, looking out at former team  —  LOS ANGELES — Estranged Yankees Joe Torre and Don Mattingly are very much alive for postseason glory with the Dodgers, while their former team is done after a 13-year run.

Francona: Drew will start tonight  —  When the Red Sox take the field against the Cleveland Indians tonight at Fenway Park, J.D. Drew will be in the lineup for the first time since Aug. 17.  —  Manager Terry Francona revealed this afternoon during his weekly interview with the …

postGame: Cubs 9 Mets 6  —  The Mets lost to the Cubs by the score of 9 to 6 in 10 innings tonight at Shea Stadium.  —  For a recap, boxscore and stats, click here.  —  I'm beginning to get sick to my stomach, and I think it's from motion sickness.  Seriously, I am emotionally dizzy …

It's Cashman's Move; the Yankees Want Him Back  —  TORONTO — Brian Cashman spent part of his day Wednesday as the good organizational soldier, representing the Yankees at a news conference to announce a six-year partnership with the Class AA Trenton Thunder.

Tigers' Todd Jones to announce retirement  —  After 16 seasons, 319 saves and approximately 250 columns for Sporting News, Todd Jones is retiring from baseball.  —  Jones, who writes about his decision to call it quits in the latest issue of Sporting News magazine, is expected …

Alvarez in Pittsburgh, set to sign; MLB, union settle grievance  —  MILWAUKEE — Pedro Alvarez, the Pirates' first-round draft pick, is in Downtown Pittsburgh this morning and is expected to sign his contract this afternoon.  —  The parties agreed to terms on a four-year $6,355,000 contract Sunday night …

Pierzynski Riles Up Fans of Team He Once Ignited  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Something about A. J. Pierzynski, the former Minnesota Twins catcher who is completing his fourth season with the Chicago White Sox, brings out a certain reaction at the Metrodome.  Each time the bleached-blond Pierzynski …

Senators batting champ Vernon dies at age 90 … Mickey Vernon, who batted .286 over 20 big league seasons, including two batting titles for the Washington Senators, died Wednesday afternoon at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, Pa., six days after suffering a stroke.

Pettitte may have thrown last pitch in pinstripes  —  TORONTO - Andy Pettitte has battled a sore shoulder for almost two months, grinding his way through his starts every five days as the Yankees tried to make an improbable playoff run.  —  With those playoff hopes no longer a factor …

Pettitte shut down, “kids” to play some, Mussina expected to pitch Sunday  —  Andy Pettitte will not start Saturday.  Pettitte's left shoulder has been “barking” for some time, and since they are out of it, he will be shut down.  He had an MRI done at the start of the last homestand and nothing was found to be structurally wrong.

Gallardo to start tomorrow  —  Right-hander Yovani Gallardo, out since May 1 with a knee injury, will return to action tomorrow night against Pittsburgh, interim manager Dale Sveum just told us.  —  Sveum is trying to piece together a rotation for the final important week of the season …

Revitalized Lidge ready to face postseason demons  —  This qualifies as supreme irony.  —  Because Brad Lidge flamed out in the 2005 postseason with Houston, Philadelphia could be a force in the 2008 postseason.  —  The Phillies go into tonight's game against Atlanta with a magic number …