Red Sox World Series trophy repaired after beer can hit  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox say their brand new World Series trophy has been repaired after getting beaned by a beer can during the championship parade.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  The damage occurred during Wednesday's duck boat ride through Boston …

Manny Machado sends his thanks to Dodgers, fans as free agency beckons  —  While Manny Machado was noncommittal as to his future after the Los Angeles Dodgers lost the World Series in five games, he may have shed insight into his thinking Wednesday when he took to Instagram.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Ex-Brave Brian McCann becomes a free agent  —  Former Braves catcher Brian McCann became a free agent Wednesday when the Houston Astros declined a $15 million option for the 2019 season.  —  McCann played for the Braves from 2005-13.  He was a member of the original “Baby Braves” …

Pitching coach Derek Johnson latest to depart Craig Counsell's staff  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers pitching coach Derek Johnson is leaving the team, the third departure on manager Craig Counsell's staff since the end of the season.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  General manager David Stearns …

Braves have little incentive to make qualifying offer to Nick Markakis  —  MLB's deadline for qualifying offers is at 5 p.m. Friday.  The offer is valued at a robust $17.9 million for one year.  —  Teams can make the offer to their eligible free agents, resulting in either retaining …

White Sox Acquire Manny Banuelos  —  The White Sox have acquired lefty Manny Banuelos from the Dodgers, per an announcement from the Chicago organization.  He'll go onto the 40-man roster, James Fegan of The Athletic adds on Twitter.  Corner infielder Justin Yurchak is headed to Los Angeles in return.

The issues, hopes, fears for 4 Cubs players on the rebound trail  —  These four Cubs players have issues.  (Chicago Tribune) Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs could improve on their 95-win season without signing Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.  —  How?  —  From Kris Bryant's left shoulder …

Braves' 2019 Chop Fest date at SunTrust Park set  —  The Atlanta Braves will host the team's second fan festival at SunTrust Park on Jan. 19, 2019.  —  The one-day event — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — puts fans up close with players, coaches and alumni.  —  » Photos: Fans take in Braves in first Chop Fest at SunTrust Park

Padres Trade Catcher Raffy Lopez To Braves  —  The San Diego Padres have traded catcher Raffy Lopez to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later or cash consideration, the Padres announced today.  —  The 30-year-old backstop figures to serve as catching depth for the Braves in 2019.

Bill Fischer, who spent seven decades in pro baseball, dies at 88  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former big league pitcher Bill Fischer, who spent more than seven decades as a player and coach in professional baseball, died Tuesday.  He was 88.  —  The Royals announced Fischer's death in a statement Wednesday.