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 …

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.

Sabathia not shaken, Teixeira just stirred  —  CC Sabathia and Joe Girardi both chalked up tonight's woeful start (2.2 IP, 9 R, 5 ER, 8 H, 5 BB) to poor fastball command and good timing.  “He had no command of his fastball,” Girardi said.  “For whatever reason, it wasn't there tonight.

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 …

Cubs helm Sandberg's dream job  —  Hall of Famer working his way up as Minor League skipper  —  CHICAGO — Ryne Sandberg led Double-A Tennessee to the Southern League championship this season.  On Saturday, he sang the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field, cradling his second grandchild, 6-week-old Owen.

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 …

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.

Wells pitches Cubs to 5-0 victory over Arizona  —  Randy Wells allowed three hits in seven strong innings and struck out a career-high 10, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 on Saturday.  —  Wells (12-10) gave up a leadoff double to Stephen Drew and then retired 14 straight …

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 …