Texas Rangers fire manager Chris Woodward amid season of dissatisfactory progress  —  The Texas Rangers fired manager Chris Woodward on Monday amid a season of dissatisfactory progress despite the investment of more than a half-billion guaranteed dollars in the free agent market over the winter, the team announced.

Mets starter Carlos Carrasco to miss next three to four weeks with low-grade oblique strain  —  ATLANTA — Mets starter Carlos Carrasco was placed on the 15-day IL due to a low-grade strain in his left oblique.  The Mets estimate his recovery timetable to be about three to four weeks.

Fernando Tatis Sr. says ‘all of baseball’ loses with son suspended 80 games for ‘something so insignificant’  —  Fernando Tatis Jr.'s father backed up his son's claim that he violated Major League Baseball's drug policy because of a steroid that was contained within a ringworm medication and called it …

Kiley McDaniel's 2022 midseason top 50 MLB prospects  —  We're in the midst of a changing of the guard at the top of minor league prospect lists.  Adley Rutschmann, Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez had ruled these lists for months, and when they graduated early in the year, they left a pretty open field.

Rafael Devers has long been criticized for his defense, but the numbers — and those around him — are seeing progress  —  PITTSBURGH - New Red Sox first baseman Eric Hosmer was aware of new teammate Rafael Devers's reputation as a below-average defensive third baseman before joining the Sox.

Royals GM J.J. Picollo on his young roster, playing time and Adalberto Mondesi's future  —  The Kansas City Royals moved into a new phase with the major-league club roster earlier this summer.  They have 13 rookies on the active roster, taking up half of the 26 spots.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Rodolfo Castro suspended one game for having cellphone in pocket  —  Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro was suspended for one game and fined by Major League Baseball on Tuesday after a cell phone flew out of his pocket mid-slide during an Aug. 9 game …

MLB Umpires Association, adamant that crews are simply upholding rule, address home-plate collision rule in statement  —  CHICAGO — The Major League Baseball Umpires Association released a tersely worded statement Wednesday regarding the criticism umpires are receiving due to the home-plate collision rule.

Panthers expected to name QB Baker Mayfield Week 1 starter: Sources  —  The Carolina Panthers are expected to name Baker Mayfield their starting quarterback against the Cleveland Browns for Week 1 of the 2022 season, sources confirmed to The Athletic.  He's been competing with Sam Darnold …

Pat Foley will fulfill dream by calling Cubs game at Wrigley Field  —  Foley will call the nightcap of the Cubs' doubleheader against the Cardinals.  He'll work the first three innings on 670 The Score, move to the Marquee Sports Network booth for the middle three and finish the game on radio.

Minnesota Twins starter Tyler Mahle leaves game in third inning with right shoulder fatigue  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins starter Tyler Mahle left Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning with right shoulder fatigue.  —  Making his third start since being acquired …