Baseball Playoffs: Thursday Update  —  The Boston Red Sox lost dramatically on Wednesday night on a two-out ninth-inning grand-slam home run by the Yankees' Mark Teixeira.  But they captured the American League East title anyway because the Toronto Blue Jays also lost on a dramatic ninth-inning home run …

Image of David Ortiz is mowed into Fenway Park outfield  —  David Ortiz has just three regular-season games left in his baseball career, and the Boston Red Sox are pulling out the stops to make it a home series Big Papi and his fans won't forget.  —  What better way to pay tribute to the 10 …

Indians' Brantley could miss significant time in 2017  —  Sources familiar with Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley's shoulder surgery suggest they believe it is quite serious, and that he could in fact miss significant time next season.  Word based on those sources is that “they had to re-anchor the muscle to the bone.”

Jake Arrieta, Miguel Montero not keen on Cubs' September spring training  —  Chicago Tribune  —  With the home field advantage for the National League playoffs already wrapped up, Jake Arrieta and Miguel Montero don't seem keen on the Chicago Cubs' current plan of treating the last week …

Jesus Montero Receives 50-Game Suspension  —  Blue Jays Triple-A first baseman Jesus Montero has been slapped with a fifty game suspension after testing positive for a banned stimulant, dimethylbutylamine, the league announced.  Montero was once a hyped prospect, but has been trying unsuccessfully to revive his career in recent years.

Royals beat the Twins, are eliminated from the playoffs after Baltimore beats Toronto  —  On average, it takes major-league pitchers 12 to 14 months to return from Tommy John surgery, a grueling, mind-numbing rehab that tests a man's body and mind.  The procedure to prepare the ulnar collateral ligament …

Cubs give Theo Epstein a five-year extension  —  Cubs' President Theo Epstein discusses his five-year contract extension.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  President Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs have agreed on a five-year contract extension.

Tigers, Indians Postponed After Delay of Over 4 Hours  —  DETROIT — Thursday's game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians was postponed because of bad weather, a move that could force the teams to squeeze in a makeup game next week if it needs to be played because of postseason implications.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia becomes first Dominican-born pitcher to save 50 games  —  MIAMI — They were not sure Jeurys Familia could do the job.  In April 2015, when Terry Collins and Dan Warthen approached him about closing after Jenrry Mejia was busted for PED use, they knew Familia …

2016 Northwest League Top 20 Prospects - Tooled-Up Outfielders Lead The Way  —  A year ago, No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson helped Hillsboro win its second straight Northwest League championship en route to earning top prospect honors.  He's already a big leaguer after being traded to the Braves.

Diamondbacks Beat Nationals in Rain-Shortened Game  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 29, 2016, 12:12 A.M. E.D.T.  —  WASHINGTON — With Stephen Strasburg not expected to pitch in the National League Division Series and Joe Ross not yet fully stretched out after a two-month layoff …