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.

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.

Hamilton to put weight back on during offseason  —  ARLINGTON — Don't expect Josh Hamilton to come into Spring Training light again.  —  Last offseason, he started a natural-juice diet — or “lifestyle change,” as he calls it — and entered at an estimated 227 pounds, roughly 20 pounds lighter than normal.

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.

Final Score: Brewers 4 Mets 2  —  The Least You Should Know...  Carlos Torres allowed three runs in the first inning thanks to two home runs, but didn't allow anything else through six innings.  —  Lucas Duda broke out of his 1-for-27 slump with a single, double and a run scored.

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.

Rays pick two road games in event of three-way wild card tie  —  NEW YORK — Tampa Bay decided it would rather have two chances to earn an AL wild-card berth rather than a home game in the event of a three-way tie.  —  Cleveland would host the Rays in a tiebreaker game Monday if there is a three …

Mariners' manager Wedge will not return next season  —  SEATTLE — Seattle manager Eric Wedge has told the Mariners he will not return for next season.  —  The Mariners said Friday that Wedge will manage the final three games of the season against Oakland.

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.

Marlins Fire Larry Beinfest, Promote Dan Jennings  —  3:25pm: As expected, assistant general manager Dan Jennings will assume Beinfest's duties, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale (on Twitter).  ESPN's Jerry Crasnick adds (also via Twitter) that the Marlins have fired Jim Fleming, who was a special assistant to Beinfest.

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.