Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler stay with Cubs  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop on Thursday, and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler picked up his $5 million player option.  —  Strop can earn $750,000 in performance bonuses next year based …

Blue Jays Outright Shafer, Cruz, Guerrieri, Petricka  —  The Blue Jays announced today that they have outrighted four players from their 40-man roster.  Justin Shafer will remain in the organization after clearing waivers, while fellow right-handed hurlers Rhiner Cruz, Taylor Guerrieri …

Reds Claim Matthew Bowman From Cardinals; Dilson Herrera, Mason Williams Outrighted  —  The Reds announced Friday that they've claimed right-handed reliever Matthew Bowman off waivers from the division-rival Cardinals.  Additionally, infielder Dilson Herrera and outfielder Mason Williams …

‘Pissed off’ Hal Steinbrenner opens up: Red Sox anger, Machado caution  —  Hal Steinbrenner refers to “the first week in October” often in a 40-minute phone conversation.  He uses that term ("first week in October").  Not the Division Series.  Not the loss to the Red Sox.  —  It haunts and irritates.

Dodgers Nearing Extension With Clayton Kershaw  —  2:37pm: The sides have discussed new contract that would add just one more guaranteed season, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter).  It is believed that the total guarantee would stay under nine figures, though Rosenthal cautions the “final terms might be different.”

Cuban P Sandy Gaston finalizes contract with Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a minor league contract with 16-year-old Cuban pitcher Sandy Gaston that includes a $2.61 million signing bonus.  —  The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander ranked among …

Indians Will Not Issue Any Qualifying Offers  —  12:37pm: MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets that Cleveland won't issue any qualifying offers.  That means Brantley, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen will all reach free agency without the burden of draft compensation attached to them.

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 …

Arizona Fall League remains a hidden baseball gem  —  In much of Arizona, fall is a lot like spring.  The weather flirts with perfection.  Flowers, vegetables and grass are planted.  And baseball complexes are packed with fans eager to see the game's next stars.  —  OK, that last sentence is not true.

Dodgers expected to retain Dave Roberts as manager  —  LOS ANGELES — Dave Roberts is expected to return as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, as is the entirety of his coaching staff, front-office executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi strongly suggested during a joint news conference from Dodger Stadium on Thursday.

Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes in mix to potentially replace Craig Kimbrel  —  The Craig Kimbrel question isn't coming out of the blue.  —  Kimbrel has always figured to be one of the tougher decisions when he hits the free agent market, which will be in the coming weeks.

New Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen's roster upgrades need to start with bullpen help ... and a catcher  —  With the Mets having brought in Brodie Van Wagenen as their new general manager on Tuesday, it's time for the organization to start looking at how they can back up his bold promises.

Cardinals infielder Greg Garcia claimed on waivers by San Diego  —  San Diego area native Greg Garcia is going home to play.  The utility infielder who has played the past four seasons for the Cardinals was claimed on waivers by the Padres on Thursday.  —  The lefthanded-hitting Garcia …