Detroit Tigers notes: News is good for injured trio  —  Tigers manager Brad Ausmus received some encouraging news about a couple players on the disabled list.  —  J.D. Martinez, who has been on the disabled list since the start of the season with a right midfoot sprain, ran on Monday.

An African Player Reaches the Majors  —  PITTSBURGH — Gift Ngoepe was aware of the significance of the moment when he put on his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform for the first time in the regular season.  —  The Pirates recalled Ngoepe, an infielder, from Class AAA Indianapolis on Wednesday …

Jim Thome lands MLB Network gig on top of White Sox front-office position  —  White Sox special assistant Jim Thome on his new MLB Network analyst role.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Former White Sox slugger Jim Thome is joining MLB Network as a part-time studio analyst …

Teheran solid, Gsellman stumbles and Mets lose 5th straight … NEW YORK — Julio Teheran hasn't lost to the Mets in nearly two years, and New York manager Terry Collins wasn't shocked by his team's reaction when Atlanta tagged Robert Gsellman for five runs in the first inning.

Mariners Place Felix Hernandez, Mitch Haniger On 10-Day DL  —  2:44pm: Hernandez is expected to be sidelined for two or three weeks at a minimum, per MLB.com's Jon Morosi (via Twitter).  —  2:13pm: Both righty Felix Hernandez and outfielder Mitch Haniger are going on the 10-day DL …

Instant Replay: Kershaw quiets Giants again, Dodgers win 2-1  —  BOX SCORE  —  SAN FRANCISCO — After taking the opener of this four-game series, manager Bruce Bochy said he felt the win was a huge one.  —  “We've got our hands full tomorrow,” Bochy said Monday night.  “We know it.”

NL West Notes: Dunn, Qualls, Giants, Bradley  —  The Rockies announced on Wednesday that they've placed lefty reliever Mike Dunn on the 10-day disabled list due to back spasms.  Filling Dunn's place on the 25-man roster will be fellow veteran Chad Qualls, who will return to the 'pen after missing …

Cubs' World Series trophy headed to Boston  —  A look at the Commissioner's Trophy, presented to the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.  (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series trophy will be brought to foreign territory this weekend.

Saints' Mark Ingram embraces arrival of Adrian Peterson  —  New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) makes an 18-yard reception in the fourth quarter during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Monday, September 26, 2016.  (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com|

Rays scratch starter, use 5 relievers to 2-hit Orioles  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Facing the prospect of a lengthy rain delay, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash scratched his starting pitcher and called upon his bullpen for nine innings of work.  —  The relievers happily — and effectively — completed the task.

Jason Witten on why he signed contract extension; thoughts on Bill Parcells saying he should retire  —  ARLINGTON - Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said he isn't ready to slow down like his former teammate Tony Romo.  —  In fact, Witten was in North Arlington on Wednesday helping …

Watch Trea Turner go headfirst into third base to complete the cycle  —  There was all kinds of offense in the Nationals' 15-12 win over the Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday night, but Trea Turner stole the show by hitting for the cycle.  —  Washington's shortstop singled in the first inning …

WATCH: Blue Jays baserunner pulls off the acrobatic home plate dive of the decade  —  We haven't seen this since ‘Major League 2’  —  Ever since the rules were put in to limit collisions at home plate, I've lamented that runners on close plays haven't been creative enough with slides.