Report: Players Union considers challenge to Bradley suspension  —  MILWAUKEE- The Milton Bradley saga took another turn on Monday with an ESPN.com report that the Players Association may challenge Bradley's 15-game suspension by the Cubs for detrimental conduct.

Wade: Right time for Astros to make managerial change  —  Cecil Cooper was fired Monday as Astros manager, falling victim to an underachieving, injury-plagued team with a bloated payroll and one of the worst starting rotations in baseball.  —  Dave Clark, who will be a candidate for the job …

Sox place Tazawa on 60-day DL  —  The Red Sox today placed righthander Junichi Tazawa on the 60-day disabled list with a mild left groin strain, ending his remarkable first season in the United States with the Red Sox.  —  Tazawa tweaked his left groin Sept. 4, while covering first base as a reliever against the Chicago White Sox.

Saunders puzzles Yanks to lead Halos  —  Lefty's methodical win pulls Angels closer to AL's top record  —  ANAHEIM — If there was any doubt that Joe Saunders is back to his All-Star form from a season ago, the left-hander erased it with a superb performance against the Yankees on Monday.

San Francisco Giants prospect Angel Villalona charged with murder  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants was charged with murder in the death of a 25-year-old man last weekend at a bar in his Caribbean homeland.  —  Angel Villalona …

Torre Makes His Team Worse  —  If you haven't been following the Dodgers of late, there's an interesting development down in LA - Joe Torre has decided to give a significant chunk of the playing time at second base to Ronnie Belliard, sending Orlando Hudson to the bench in the process.

Jockbeat: Why Yankees Fans Should Worry  —  ​Be afraid, Yankee fans — be very afraid.  —  A couple of weeks ago everything seemed all sewn up — the Yankees had vanquished the Red Sox, and all everyone wanted to know was if this year's editions was as good as the 1998 team.

Millwood's gem locks up deal for 2010  —  Rangers righty stymies A's, secures $12 million next season  —  OAKLAND — Apparently Kevin Millwood wasn't too tired, injured or obsessively worried about his contract for 2010.  —  Turns out he really did just need a little extra …

Jacobs helps rally Royals past Red Sox 12-9  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mike Jacobs (FSY) hit a three-run homer, and Alberto Callaspo's (FSY) two-run double keyed Kansas City's biggest inning in almost a year, rallying the Royals past the Boston Red Sox 12-9 on Monday night.

Bradley, Ethier linked by notable trade  —  Cubs, Dodgers outfielders now going in different directions  —  On the very day the Chicago Cubs decided they had seen enough of Milton Bradley and sent him home, the Los Angeles Dodgers and their fans just couldn't get enough of Andre Ethier.

Aroldis Chapman awaits ruling on MLB free-agency status  —  Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the world, petitioned Major League Baseball for free-agency status recently and is likely only weeks from becoming a free agent, according to his agent.

Blackburn breezes for surging Twins in rout of White Sox  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Nick Blackburn (FSY) pitched seven innings and Orlando Cabrera (FSY) led the offense Monday night as the Minnesota Twins continued their late surge with a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Cubs add outfielders Johnson, Colvin  —  Right-hander diamond designated for assignment  —  MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs today selected outfielder Tyler Colvin from Double-A Tennessee and activated Reed Johnson from the 15-day disabled list.  To make room for Colvin on the 40-man roster …

Giants score sloppy win over Diamondbacks, pull closer to Rockies  —  PHOENIX — The San Francisco Giants are a playoff contender and the Arizona Diamondbacks are not.  —  But you couldn't discern the difference with a program and a spyglass at Chase Field on Monday night.