Aaron Hicks returns to lineup for Yankees; Brock Holt sits for Red Sox  —  NEW YORK — One day after hitting for the first postseason cycle in MLB history, Brock Holt wasn't in the starting lineup for the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.  —  The New York Yankees, meanwhile, welcomed back Aaron Hicks …

Machado, Dodgers finish off Braves  —  • The Los Angeles Dodgers went through all the expected motions after winning a playoff series.  —  They broke out T-shirts and caps.  They posed for pictures in the middle of SunTrust Park.  They doused each other with beer in the clubhouse.

Alex Bregman annoyed Astros played three day games during ALDS  —  Third baseman Alex Bregman made it pretty clear after the Houston Astros swept the Cleveland Indians during the ALDS: This is not how you should treat the defending world champions.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

ALDS: Astros explode for 10 late runs keyed by Trevor Bauer throwing errors … As his teammates sprayed each other with champagne and beer in Houston's buzzing clubhouse, ace Justin Verlander stayed clear of the fray and foam while enjoying a cigar.  —  This wasn't the time to get soaked.

Payroll bump should help the Cincinnati Reds - but not buy a pennant  —  The Bob Castellini interview with Paul Daugherty didn't reveal a lot.  —  The headline, after all, was “Castellini not tipping his hand.”  —  But he did drop on a tidbit.  He said the player payroll would be the highest in team history.

Rays sign Kevin Cash to extension through 2024  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays and manager Kevin Cash have finalized a deal on a multiyear extension that puts him under contract through 2024, the Tampa Bay Times has learned.  —  Cash, 40, had one year left on his original five-year $5-million contract signed …

Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2019  —  As explained here, Matt Swartz and MLB Trade Rumors have developed an accurate model to project arbitration salaries.  This is the eighth year we've done these projections, and I'm proud to present the results for 2019.

Baseball notebook: Despite sour finish, Rockies point to progress  —  Despite sour finish, Rockies point to solid progress  —  The immediate picture for the Colorado Rockies looks grim: a slumping offense that couldn't support solid pitching led to a quick end of Rocktober.

Stairs is latest Padres hitting coach to be fired  —  San Diego Padres hitting coach Matt Stairs looks on during spring training in Peoria on Feb. 14, 2018.  (Photo by K.C. Alfred/ San Diego Union -Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)  —  Hitting coach Matt Stairs …