Trevor Story returns to Colorado Rockies' lineup  —  DENVER — Trevor Story is going over the top to get back on the field, altering his throwing motion to take some of the stress off his sore right elbow.  —  The Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop returned to the lineup Monday night after missing a week with the ailment.

Cardinals, Brewers begin key final-week series at Busch  —  It all comes down to this.  —  Holding the second National League wild-card spot, the Cardinals (87-69) begin their final homestand of the regular season 7:15 p.m. Monday against NL Central rival Milwaukee for the first of three at Busch Stadium.

Division, wild-card races at a glance  —  We're down to the final week of the regular season.  The Red Sox, Indians and Braves have clinched their respective divisions, and the Yankees have clinched a wild-card spot.  Everything else is up for grabs, though some teams have a firmer grip …

Yankees' Didi Gregorius confident he'll return before postseason  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Injured New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius confidently said Monday he believes he will be back in the starting lineup before the regular season ends.  —  “Yes,” Gregorius said at his Tropicana …

Diamondbacks trying to balance resting starters while staying competitive  —  There's no tiptoeing around it.  Things have changed for the Diamondbacks after being eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday.  —  Still, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo insists that …

New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays announce Monday night lineups  —  The New York Yankees visit the Tampa Bay Rays Monday night to start a four-game series.  —  The Yankees will have Jonathan Holder (1-3, 2.97) on the mound, opposed by the Rays' Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.25).

Giants remove Bobby Evans as general manager  —  In a move that comes as no surprise at the end of a second straight losing season, the Giants are removing Bobby Evans as general manager, The Chronicle has learned.  —  An announcement is expected later Monday.

Sanchez shut down, Estrada knocked around as Jays fall to Astros  —  As Marco Estrada prepared for what was likely his final Rogers Centre start as a Blue Jay on Monday night, there was a noticeable absence to the left of his locker.  —  That would be the clubhouse home …

Terrance Gore could provide a late-inning kick to Cubs playoff roster  —  Chicago Tribune  —  With the Cubs in position to clinch a National League playoff berth as soon as Monday night, there's reason to start sculpting the 25-man postseason roster.  —  And given that every run …

Cincinnati Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman: It's a new era for starting pitchers  —  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  MIAMI - It's not a new concept that starting pitchers are more likely to give up runs the deeper they pitch into a game.  But the numbers paint a stark reality.

Phillies could use Carlos Santana at third base next season  —  DENVER - Carlos Santana had not played an inning at third base in more than four years before he found himself standing there last month.  By moving the first baseman across the diamond, manager Gabe Kapler was able to bring Rhys Hoskins …

What's still at stake the final week of the regular season  —  This is it, my friends.  The final week of the regular season.  We've come so far.  Remember when the Mets were 11-1?  Remember when Didi Gregorius led the majors with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs at the end of April and Johnny Cueto had a 0.84 ERA after the first month?

Red Sox manager?  Ron Darling?  Outside-the-box options to save Mets  —  Earlier this month I recommended Chris Marinak to be hired to run the Mets' baseball operations department.  —  I believe MLB's current executive VP of strategy, technology and innovation possesses a skill set for a unique job …