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 …

Giants prospect Angel Villalona a suspect in shooting death  —  LOS ANGELES — Top Giants prospect Angel Villalona, who began this season at Single-A San Jose, is the prime suspect in a fatal shooting in the Dominican Republic, according to an Associated Press report.  He surrendered to authorities Sunday.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Mets' future bleaker than Nationals  —  THIS is the hard truth Mets fans must face today.  The Nationals have a brighter future than the Mets.  It doesn't get any worse than that.  Washington has the worst record in baseball at 51-97.  —  It's so bad that it may be easier for the Nationals to attract free agents than the Mets.

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.

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.

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 …

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.