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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Girardi On WFAN: Offseason Of Intrigue Sure To Come For Yankees  —  NEW YORK (WFAN) — It's the question on a lot of people's minds: what will the Yankees look like next year?  —  Joe Girardi told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Thursday that he expects the team to look a lot different …

Man To Be Charged In Fatal Stabbing Of Dodgers Fan Following Giants Game  —  SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/KPIX 5) — A Los Angeles Dodgers fan was stabbed to death after his team played the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday night, and police said Thursday one of two men detained in the attack would be charged with homicide.