Blue Jays closer Ken Giles ‘felt trapped’ during time with Astros  —  Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles isn't backing down from comments he made about his time with the Houston Astros.  —  The World Series champions traded Giles to the Blue Jays on July 30, ending his rocky tenure in Houston.

Rays knocked out of playoff contention with 4-1 loss to Yankees  —  Brett Gardner and the Yankees dropped the Rays from the playoff picture.  —  The players who combined for the run that clinched the New York Yankees' postseason berth are both hurt.  —  Aaron Hicks injured his left hamstring running …

Red Sox beat Orioles 6-2 to clinch home field through Series  —  BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox were still shaking hands on the field when the “106” went up in the win column of the AL East standings that are posted on the Green Monster.  —  Scoreboards flashed “106 Wins.”

What's with the Cubs and the waffle makers?  Only Ian Happ seems to know for sure.  —  Cubs centerfielder Ian Happ presents pitcher Cole Hamels with waffle makers in the dugout after Hamels solo homer Monday night against the Pirates.  (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Mets activate David Wright from 60-day DL  —  Wright will start at third base on Saturday, Sept. 29th at Citi Field  —  The Mets have activated David Wright from the 60-day disabled list.  —  Wright, who will start at third base on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Citi Field in what will be his first …

Brewers win bullpen battle to open series at Busch  —  St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina checks on pitcher Dakota Hudson after a Milwaukee Brewers run scores in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018.  Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Last Slide  —  If there were good news for the Diamondbacks on Monday, it was modest in nature and it came via the out-of-town scoreboard.  The Colorado Rockies won big over at Coors Field, meaning that no matter what happens here with the Los Angeles Dodgers this week …

Midseason moves may have impacted Phillies chemistry |  Extra Innings  —  Imagine if someone told you, after the Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Marlins on Aug. 5 and improved to 63-48, that they would have a .500 record only seven weeks later.  As Richie Ashburn undoubtedly would've said, “Hard to believe, Harry.”

‘Good night, Mr. Young’: A's closer Blake Treinen on Cy-worthy run  —  During a recent homestand, Blake Treinen was on his way out of the Oakland Coliseum when he passed by a security guard who addressed him as “Ty.”  Although the Oakland Athletics' closer was confused, he didn't think much of it at the time.

Yankees rookies Andujar, Torres braced for postseason pressure  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On the late April morning he was called up from Triple-A, set to make his major league debut, Gleyber Torres was brought into a private conversation with New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius.

Mitchell, Yates combine on 7-hitter, Padres top Giants 5-0  —  Bryan Mitchell struck out seven in 8 2/3 strong innings,  —  Jose Pirela had a homer among his three hits, and the  —  San Francisco Giants 5-0 Monday night.  —  The Giants lost their fifth straight game hours after the team announced …

Arodys Vizcaino re-positioning himself as Braves closer  —  Braves righty Arodys Vizcaino is healthy and rejuvenated.  As such, he may be reclaiming his closer duties.  —  Vizcaino missed 55 games on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.  He was in the midst of a career-year, boasting a 1.65 ERA with 15 saves.

Could Ron Darling become next Mets GM?  Ex-pitcher and SNY analyst tells News he's interested  —  While he is not immediately throwing his hat in the ring, Ron Darling is interested in the Mets GM gig.  —  “I would be disingenuous if I didn't say that if someone wants to sit down with me and talk …

Stephen Strasburg not worried about his shaky start against the Marlins  —  Stephen Strasburg wore his emotions for parts of Monday night, throughout four waterlogged innings that called for his ability to grind through a start without his usual velocity or command.