Column: Cubs know they won't get any sympathy for a 30-day work stretch  —  Javy Baez discusses his game-winning bunt against the Nationals on Sept. 13, 2018, in Washington.  (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The heaviest thing most baseball players lift during a game is a bat …

Learning the outfield could help Cincinnati Reds top prospect Nick Senzel reach the Majors  —  Scott Schebler talks about Luis Castillo's start and the Reds' 3-1 victory over the Dodgers.  The Reds have a 6-0 record vs. the Dodgers this year.  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  CONNECT

Gregory Polanco likely to miss 7-9 months after shoulder surgery  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates say right fielder Gregory Polanco could be out until June after having surgery on his left shoulder.  —  Polanco dislocated his throwing shoulder on an awkward slide into second base on a double last Friday against Miami.

Yankees activate Aaron Judge from DL, but will be limited  —  Check back for updates  —  The New York Yankees activated Aaron Judge before Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  However, Judge will be limited to only defense and base running.  He will not be able to hit yet.

Mets' David Wright could pinch hit before farewell game  —  New York Mets infielder David Wright could be used as a pinch hitter ahead of his final start on Sept. 29, manager Mickey Callaway said Friday.  —  Wright will be activated from the 60-day disabled list when the team returns home Sept. 25 …

Diamondbacks pitcher Clay Buchholz's season likely over due to flexor strain in elbow  —  HOUSTON - Right-hander Clay Buchholz was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right arm, a similar injury to the one that bothered him off and on for years before eventually requiring surgery last year.

Braves, Giants franchises molded by 1993, MLB's last great pennant race  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The last great pennant race left some with the most beautiful memories in their careers and others with the ugliest of scars.  —  It created the most radical change in baseball's playoff format …

Braves to begin sales of single-game NLDS tickets next week  —  The Braves announced that single-game tickets for a potential National League Division Series will go on sale Wednesday.  —  The Braves lead the National League East Division by 7-1/2 games over the second-place Phillies entering play Friday.

RECAP: Cleveland Indians' ninth-inning rally falls short in 5-4 loss to Detroit Tigers  —  The Cleveland Indians' ninth-inning rally fall a run short, as they dropped a 5-4 decision to the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field Friday night.  —  10:17 p.m.-INDIANS' NINTH-INNING RALLY FALLS SHORT AGAINST TIGERS

Matt Kemp is finally home again in LA  —  There is no easy way to tell a player he's been traded.  But generally whatever awkwardness or emotion an executive feels from those calls is offset by the excitement of the calls welcoming the players joining the club.

MLB playoff picture: Updated look at division, wild card races  —  With just more than two weeks remaining, the Boston Red Sox are the only team to officially punch their ticket to the postseason.  —  The Red Sox still have work to do to clinch the American League East, although that …

Phillies 14, Marlins 2: First impressions after a big night by Aaron Altherr  —  Phillies enjoyed a cathartic 14-2 win over the  —  Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night.  —  The Phillies had 18 hits, including five home runs.  —  Aaron Altherr had his best game of the season …

'It's like group therapy': How a rookie skipper won over the Cards clubhouse  —  Somehow, Mike Shildt got the St. Louis Cardinals to buy into “Ball Talk.”  —  It would've been all too easy for the Cardinals players, especially the veterans, to roll their eyes.

How big is Rays-A's this weekend?  Well ...  That the Rays are playing a series with even the slightest amount of playoff implications in mid-September is somewhat of an accomplishment.  —  How big the matchup with the A's that starts tonight at the Trop is depends on your perspective.

Betts: Red Sox must carry sense of urgency into postseason  —  After getting walloped by the Astros in the first two games of last season's American League Division Series the Red Sox decided enough was enough.  It was team meeting time.  —  The Red Sox finally looked in the mirror and didn't like what they were seeing.