Blue Jays fire GM J.P. Ricciardi  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi.  —  Interim CEO Paul Beeston announced the move on Saturday, saying he felt it was time for a change.  —  Ricciardi has been in charge of the team since Nov. 14, 2001, posting four winning seasons and four losing ones.

Who's next?  —  Jed Hoyer, assistant GM of the Red Sox, is among the names I've heard today for the Padres' GM job.  Was also told again that the next GM “probably” will not come from the Diamondbacks.  Padres executive Paul DePodesta's clout within the club has grown in recent weeks …

Wright and Mets must adjust to Citi limits  —  Citi Field might not be the sole reason for David Wright's career-low home run total this season.  —  In his press conference before Friday night's series opener against the Astros, Jerry Manuel was asked how the Mets might alter …

Upton hits for first cycle in Rays history  —  Single in fifth completes bid for feat against Yanks at Trop  —  ST. PETERSBURG — B.J. Upton became the first player in Rays history to hit for the cycle when he turned the trick Friday night in his first four at-bats against the Yankees during Tampa Bay's 13-4 victory.

X-rays negative for Alex Gonzalez  —  The Red Sox [team stats] got the good news they were hoping for this morning — additional X-rays on shortstop Alex Gonzalez' right wrist proved negative this morning.  —  Gonzalez was hit on the hand in the eighth inning of Saturday night's 6-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Twins cut Tigers' AL Central lead to one  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have wanted out of the Metrodome for years.  —  They're playing as if they want to stay a little longer.  —  GAME REPORT: Twins 10, Royals 7  —  DETROIT SHUT OUT: Tigers fall to White Sox

DeWitt basks in victory, eyes future seasons  —  A season borne of uncertainties and consecutive missed Octobers concludes Sunday with the Cardinals set for their first postseason since their unlikely world championship of 2006.  —  Chris Carpenter, his season considered an open question …

Slumping Hanley Ramirez sits out as Florida Marlins thump Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — For a guy closing in on his first National League batting title, Hanley Ramirez hasn't been hitting like a batting champion lately.  —  Ramirez didn't play in the Marlins' 7-2 win over the Phillies on Friday …

Lowe's struggles continue in last start  —  Two-run double by Ross is not enough in Braves loss  —  ATLANTA — Derek Lowe can take solace in the fact that his frustrating season has come to a close.  As for the Braves, they have to continue to worry about the possibility that these past few months might …

Rockies prevent Dodgers from clinching NL West … LOS ANGELES(AP) Ubaldo Jimenez struck out 10 and the streaking Colorado Rockies forced the NL West race down to the final two games, beating the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Friday night.  —  With both teams already assured playoff spots …

Grabow, Harden hope to return to Cubs  —  Reliever in talks with team; starter holding off till season ends  —  CHICAGO — It's been a little weird this week for Rich Harden and John Grabow.  They are two of the Cubs' four free agents-to-be, and one has already begun talks about returning …

O's keeping Trembley  —  Decision to bring manager back comes near end of one of worst years in team history; 'he's earned the opportunity to go forward'; MacPhail sets bar higher for 2010  —  The Orioles picked up Dave Trembley's 2010 option before their game against the Toronto Blue Jays.