Axe comes down on Ricciardi  —  After eight years at the helm of the Blue Jays, interim CEO Paul Beeston announces J.P. Ricciardi has been fired  — Weather - Video - Blogs - RSS Feeds - Globe Books - TV listings - Globe on Twitter - Columnists - Swine flu - Behind the Veil  —  Shi Davidi

Sources: Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell out of Cleveland Indians managerial race  —  John Farrell, the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox, has removed himself from consideration for Cleveland's managerial opening, according to sources.  —  The Indians fired Eric Wedge on Thursday …

Joba to pitch an inning in relief in finale  —  ‘Rules’ revised as Girardi crafts bullpen for postseason  —  ST. PETERSBURG — For at least one day, the Yankees are putting Joba Chamberlain back in the bullpen.  —  Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that the club has reconsidered its stance …

Sources: Bobby Valentine, Florida Marlins talking about job  —  At a time when Bobby Valentine has begun the process of talking with teams about a possible return as a manager in Major League Baseball, sources said he is in communication with the Florida Marlins about a possible position with that team …

Additional X-rays on Gonzalez negative  —  Take another deep breath.  Exhale slowly.  On the eve of the playoffs, it appears the Red Sox have narrowly avoided another potentially serious injury.  —  According to a team source, the second set of X-rays taken on the hand of shortstop Alex Gonzalez this morning were negative.

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 …

Theo  —  There is every reason in the world for me to love the Boston Red Sox fan.  One, I love Boston.  Love it.  Love walking around Boston, love being around people from Boston, love the accent, love the Sports Guy, love it.  Two, the Red Sox hired two of my absolute favorite people in baseball — Bill James and Allard Baird.

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 …

Nats come through with two-out hits to down Braves in 11 innings  —  ATLANTA — The Washington Nationals are playing as if they were contenders the last week of the season, not the team that has the worst record in the majors.  —  Justin Maxwell hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning …

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.

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.

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