Mets manager Terry Collins likely coming back for 2015  —  Terry Collins is likely to be brought back for a fifth season as Mets manager in 2015, sources familiar with the situation say.  —  While the Mets are planning to bring Collins back to manage, officials in the know say …

Vargas, Royals bounce back to shut out Athletics  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jason Vargas tossed a three-hitter for his sixth career shutout, Omar Infante hit a two-run homer and the Kansas City Royals beat the Oakland Athletics 3-0 on Wednesday night.  —  Vargas (9-5) retired the final 23 batters …

Criticism of coaches annoys Matheny  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  MIAMI  • The Cardinals' season-long search for a more productive offense — one like they had when leading the league in runs last season — has prompted a trade …

Tulowitzki To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery  —  The Rockies received more bad news on the injury front today, as Thomas Harding of MLB.com tweets that MVP candidate Troy Tulowitzki will miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery to repair the labrum in his left hip.

Struggling Braves beat Dodgers for third win in 14 games  —  ATLANTA — Ervin Santana won his sixth straight start at Turner Field, Justin Upton drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning and the Atlanta Braves snapped a two-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Pimentel has potential if he can harness it  —  Although he still has rookie status, Pirates right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel signed his first international free-agent contract in 2006.  Born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Pimentel is still only 24 years old and has already …

Kendrick helps Angels squeak by Phillies to sweep two-game set  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Howie Kendrick delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning, and Jered Weaver pitched six resilient innings in the Los Angeles Angels' 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

How a small-time handicapper concocted a wild MLB game-fixing tale  —  Kris Barr was investigated by MLB for alleging a game-fixing operation with Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke.  —  In the waning days of the 2012 major league season, Niki Congero received an unusual text message.

Building around Stanton high Marlins priority  —  MIAMI — Giancarlo Stanton is heating up again, and so is speculation about his long-term future.  —  We've been down this road before, and will continue to do so until the slugger either signs an extension with the Marlins, or moves elsewhere.

Pirates Claim Ramon Cabrera  —  The Pirates have claimed catcher Ramon Cabrera off waivers from the Tigers, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports on Twitter.  Cabrera was placed on waivers after being designated for assignment to create 40-man space for the promotion of spot starter Buck Farmer, Beck adds.

Mets prospect Rafael Montero roughed up in blowout loss to Nationals  —  Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond, Anthony Rendon and Michael Taylor homered for the Nationals.  Montero gave up three of those home runs.  —  Ninety wins?  That has not looked like a possibility in Flushing for months now.