Wacha's role: Extra-innings reliever  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  The role the Cardinals have assigned to righthander Michael Wacha also is one that they would prefer not to use.  —  A year after being the MVP of the National League championship series …

ALCS Game 3 now set for Tuesday  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The last two times the Kansas City Royals played a postseason game at home, rain fell after the final out.  This time, it started well before the first pitch.  —  Game 3 of the AL Championship Series between the Royals and Baltimore Orioles …

Mets to move in fences at Citi Field, according to team source  —  The team will move in the right-center and right field fences, with construction expected to begin within the upcoming weeks, possibly after the conclusion of the World Series.  After the 2011 season, the Mets brought …

Sources: Yankees considering Omar Minaya for high-ranking position in front office  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As the Yankees reorganize their baseball operations staff this offseason, a familiar name in New York is getting strong consideration for a high-ranking position with the team.

The Strike Zone Expansion is Out of Control  —  Borderline pitches such as this one are increasingly being called strikes.  (via Adam Baker)  —  The playoffs are here, which means games are scrutinized more than at any other time in the season, with millions of extra eyeballs watching …

Diamondbacks hire Chip Hale as manager  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to announce Chip Hale as their new manager Monday, two persons familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports.  —  The persons talked only on the condition of anonymity because the Diamondbacks have not made an official announcement.

Mike Napoli slated to undergo surgery for sleep disorder  —  According to Mike Napoli, the first baseman will be undergoing Bimaxillary Advancement surgery in order to help alleviate his long-standing battle with sleep apnea.  (To read more on the operation, click here.)

Alex Avila says he is symptom free, remains focused on continuing career with Detroit Tigers  —  ALDS, Game 3: Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles  —  Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila speaks with manager Brad Ausmus and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand on Oct. 5 during Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

Last Slide  —  In his first extensive conversation about a baseball season that ranked as an irksome blend of success and failure, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on Sunday defended his bullpen decisions in a three-game playoff wipeout by the Orioles and shared in disappointment that, for many fans, bordered on disgust.

FSU looks into Winston autographs  —  Even as Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher says he believes quarterback Jameis Winston didn't sign autographs for money, a source tells ESPN that the university's athletic compliance department has begun to look into how so many Winston autographs were authenticated by a single company.