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 …

Dodgers finally come to play  —  On its sixth day of trying, L.A. gets to celebrate its second consecutive National League West championship.  —  Sick of staring at it, the Dodgers became it, pouring themselves across Chavez Ravine on Saturday night like the champagne that has haunted them.

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 …

Macha back with option  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  St. Louis - Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed Sunday morning what had become increasingly obvious in recent days, that manager Ken Macha would be returning in 2010 for the second year of his two-year contract.

Anthopoulos faces decisions with Jays  —  New general manager will decide direction to take club  —  BALTIMORE — Alex Anthopoulos was noticeably flustered, overwhelmed by the whirlwind events that led to his being named the Blue Jays' new general manager on Saturday.

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 …

Former Bosox hurler still brings opinionated heat  —  WHEN Bill Lee pitched, he often was at loggerheads with the baseball establishment.  So it's no surprise that he's become a logger.  The Spaceman is into sustainable logging and bat-making these days, and still hates the Yankees with a Red Sox Nation vengeance.

Tigers' Cabrera declines comment on cut on face … DETROIT (AP) — Tigers star Miguel Cabrera says he's focusing only on the final scheduled game of the season when asked about a bruise and cut on his left cheek.  —  Cabrera declined to say Sunday why his face took the brunt …

Angels lacking answers  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - I am having a moment with John Lackey.  —  Lackey has just made his last regular-season start of 2009, and he has been coy about which game he will pitch against the Red Sox.  Standing in front of his locker while his teammates pack and dress …

20 Moments That Said It All for the Yankees and Mets  —  As the regular season concludes, here is a look back at the achievements and blunders that defined the Yankees' and Mets' seasons, respectively.  Compiled by Tyler Kepner, Ken Belson, Elena Gustines and Jay Schreiber.  —  The Yankees' Highlights

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 …

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.

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.