Who can the Yankees trust in the wild-card game?  —  NEW YORK — For the first three months of the season, Luis Severino looked like an ace, the kind of consistently dominant pitcher a team would gladly start in a pivotal, must-win elimination game.  —  Several hiccups since the All-Star break made him look far different.

Tigers call up minor-leaguer Harold Castro to bolster infield  —  Detroit — The Tigers have been playing short-handed in the infield for a couple of weeks now.  —  Jose Iglesias is done for the season.  Niko Goodrum (quad bruise) and Jeimer Candelario (back) are close to returning from their injuries, but they aren't ready just yet.

Phillies' bullpen implodes in seventh inning to put Braves on the brink of clinching NL East title  —  ATLANTA — It's only fitting, in a season filled with so many gut-punching losses, that the Phillies would go down like this.  —  With their odds of coming back to win the National League East dangling …

Cubs' Russell placed on leave after domestic violence claims  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave Friday following fresh allegations of domestic violence from his ex-wife.  —  Last year, Melisa Reidy posted a photo on her Instagram account …

Carpenter returns to lineup vs. Giants; Cardinals set for sprint to the finish  —  Teammates congratulate St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) who scored on an RBI single by St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna (23) during the first inning during a game between …

Astros clinch playoff berth with win over Angels  —  HOUSTON - Yuli Gurriel hit a grand slam and a two-run homer on his way to a career-high seven RBIs, and the Houston Astros clinched a postseason berth by routing the Los Angeles Angels 11-3 on Friday night.

Jeff Banister fired as Texas Rangers manager  —  In the span of four years, Jeff Banister went from first to worst.  —  He will not get a chance to reverse the club's course again.  —  With the Rangers headed for a last-place finish and the team's second consecutive losing season …

Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock: Looming free agency not a factor in struggles  —  Center fielder A.J. Pollock realizes his days in the only organization he's known might be nearing an end, a possibility he has been reminded of recently by well-wishing fans and curious reporters.

Max Scherzer, Nationals see season slip away; Bryce Harper ejected in loss to Mets  —  The Washington Post  —  Even as the Washington Nationals' playoff hopes fade with the September crowds, even as the end settles in slowly like signs of autumn on the heels of a hot summer, possibility lives in Max Scherzer.

‘We go where he goes’: Rockies' DJ LeMahieu faces wild finish, free agency  —  DJ LeMahieu ranks down the list of recognizable Colorado Rockies players, behind Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story, Carlos Gonzalez and Matt Holliday, to name a handful.  For the uninitiated, LeMahieu's given name is “David John.”

Jim Riggleman grateful for interim managerial job with Cincinnati Reds, hopes to remain manager  —  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  MIAMI - Cincinnati Reds Interim Manager Jim Riggleman, managing at the Major League level for the first time since 2011, is hopeful that he will continue as manager beyond the next week.

White Sox slugger Jose Abreu wants to play if doctors clear him  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Jose Abreu hopes to get back on the field for the White Sox this season but doesn't seem likely to be available for this weekend's series against the Cubs.  —  Abreu, who was hospitalized Monday …

Where Dominic Smith stands with Mets after lost season … WASHINGTON — Dominic Smith smiles to hide the frustration when his lost season is mentioned.  —  This was supposed to be the year the Mets discovered if their top pick in the 2013 draft was a viable major league player …