Astros name ex-Phils GM Wade to same position … Former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ed Wade is the new general manager in Houston.  —  The Astros made the announcement official at a news conference Thursday afternoon.  Wade emerged from an exhaustive search that lasted nearly a month and included 11 official interviews.

Pirates Notebook: Chacon, Armas, Izturis unlikely to stay  —  SAN DIEGO — Many changes could come to the Pirates in the coming months, but only three seem certain: Shawn Chacon will try free agency, and Tony Armas and Cesar Izturis will not have club options exercised.

Rangers starter Padilla drops appeal of suspension  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers starting pitcher Vicente Padilla dropped the appeal of his seven-game suspension and started serving it Thursday night.  —  Padilla was suspended Tuesday for intentionally throwing at Oakland's Nick Swisher …

Reds' Griffey to miss rest of season  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. will miss the rest of the season because of a strained groin, the latest in a string of injuries to Cincinnati's All-Star outfielder.  —  Griffey left Wednesday night's game at the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning …

Read: Management is Frustrated  —  At the website for Sports Illustrated, Jon Heyman writes that it's not only bloggers and fanatical e-mailers who are upset with Willie Randolph, 'who assumes the posture of a man without a care.'  —  According to Heyman, people within the organization …

Mets fall to Marlins, East lead at 1 1-2  —  MIAMI (AP) — The New York Mets twice blew a three-run lead, raising speculation they might be about to blow the NL East.  —  Florida took advantage of Billy Wagner's absence to rally in the ninth inning, then Dan Uggla hit an RBI double in the 10th …

CHARLEY WALTERS: Minnesota Twins' Johan Santana puts down local roots  —  It's unclear whether two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana will be pitching for the Twins when his contract expires after next season, but there's hope for Twins fans.  —  Within days, Santana is expected …

Approach of Winter a Big Factor in Stadiums Race  —  As the Yankees and the Mets make their playoff stretch runs, the prospect of approaching winter has construction crews working full blast on the city's two new baseball stadiums.  —  Getting ahead on the interior construction of the Bronx …

DELGADO GETS SET FOR RETURN  —  Carlos Delgado, out since Sept. 4 with a strained hip flexor, took to the batting cage at Dolphin Stadium today for a simulated game.  It's the final hurdle before he makes his return to the lineup, which he'll do at some point during this current series.

The New Tampa Bay Rays Uniforms  —  We haven't really had a chance to digest them yet, and will need to see the live versions to make a true assessment.  We just hope that the new Unis are not jinxed by the use of the #5.  Click on the images for larger and more clear views.  —  And in case you missed it.

New patch to say 'Farewell' to Shea  —  The Mets are to wear this neat patch next season.  I love how it combines the original look of Shea with the orange and blue panels and the modern neon players.  —  Truth be told, the Mets have mixed success with special patches.

Running on empty  —  Lifeless Sox swept away by Blue Jays  —  TORONTO - Maybe if the Yankees weren't involved, it would be different.  Maybe, despite another mind-numbing Red Sox defeat, this one featuring a grand slam surrendered by Jonathan Papelbon in a 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays last night …