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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Pirates, Alvarez sign; Alvarez asks Pittsburgh to ‘judge me as the professional player that I am now’  —  MILWAUKEE — It is official.  Contract signed.  Grievance done.  —  All over, except for playing baseball.  —  Updates will be placed here after the conference call, which will start around 6:30 your time.

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.

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 …

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 …

After Loss, Mets Fall Into Wild-Card Tie  —  If what happened during the ninth inning of the Mets' game Wednesday night seemed familiar, that's because it was.  In each of the previous four innings — not to mention countless times this month, this year — they had opportunities to score a few runs …

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 …

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 …

Lou Piniella cites ‘toll’ of managing  —  NEW YORK - Cubs manager Lou Piniella is only one victory shy of his 1,700th career triumph as manager, but he seems to be weary of the long grind that accompanies the season.  —  “It has been a tough year,” Piniella told the New York Daily News.