Yankees give Sandman a magical sendoff  —  NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera sat all alone at the end of the dugout late Thursday night.  The game was over, the Rays were celebrating their victory on the field and the Yankees had already retreated to the clubhouse.

Major Changes Could Come For Cuban Talent  —  The market for Cuban players—and the way that major league teams are able to scout them—could be on the verge of significant overhaul.  —  Mexican League officials are in discussions with the Cuban government to import top Cuban players to play in the Mexican League next season.

His fate may be unclear, but GM Jerry Dipoto plans for Angels' future  —  The general manager looks to bolster a team whose owner is expected to make a decision about him soon.  Meanwhile, Angels fall to the Texas Rangers, 6-5.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto addressed …

Retaining Stanton Miami's priority  —  MIAMI — Speculation continues that the Marlins may be making front office changes after the season.  —  But there are strong indications that the club's top slugger will be part of the team's plans for 2014.  —  Sources say Giancarlo Stanton will remain with the Marlins.

Game of the Day  —  Friday presents a number of excellent pitching matchups as we start the final weekend of the regular season.  In addition, the AL Wild Card and NL Central Championship will be decided this weekend.  —  A.J. Burnett and Homer Baily get the ball rolling as the Pirates …

Thornton on fence for Sox playoff pen  —  Veteran lefty reliever faces stiff competition for AL Division Series roster spot  —  BALTIMORE — Matt Thornton was ahead of the Red Sox on this beard thing.  —  “I started to grow one probably mid-August last year and didn't shave 'til right before spring training,” he said.

Phillips: Baseball needs more swag  —  'I'm an entertainer.  I play with passion,' Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips says.  —  It is a Friday afternoon in Pittsburgh.  The Pirates and Reds are preparing for the teams' most anticipated series in more than two decades.  Playoff spots are at stake.

Guthrie goes seven to lead Royals over White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings, and David Lough hit a two-run homer to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.  —  One day after being eliminated from the post-season …

Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers will look at coaching staff soon after season ends  —  Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers  —  FONT:  —  By Nick Piecoro  —  SAN DIEGO — Changes might be coming to the Diamondbacks coaching staff — and they could be coming right after the season ends.

Heyward Leads Braves to 7-1 Win Over Phillies  —  ATLANTA — Jason Heyward had a career-high five hits, including a leadoff home run, and the Braves rode a five-run first inning to post a 7-1 win over the Phillies on Thursday night.  —  The win pulled the Braves even with the idle Cardinals …

Robinson Cano, Yankees far apart  —  The gap between second baseman Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees on a new contract is enormous, with sources telling ESPN's Buster Olney that the soon-to-be free agent is seeking approximately $305 million over 10 years.