Following a six-week winless stretch, A's right-handed starter Vin Mazzaro was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in a surprising move on Monday morning.

Although he's doing what he can to return before the season ends, things don't look too optimistic for outfielder Jim Edmonds.

At just about the perfect time, as the Reds make their stretch run towards October, closer Francisco Cordero has seemed to get his mojo back.

In a surprising September move, the Oakland Athletics have optioned struggling starter Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A Sacramento. Rosters expand in September, so the A's could have chosen to sit Mazzaro and have him work things out in side sessions and bullpens. Instead, Mazzaro was sent down Monday and will pitch in the River Cats' rotation during the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

Aroldis Chapman, the Reds' 22-year-old reliever who has recorded the three fastest pitches in baseball this year, struggled at Coors Field in his first career appearance there.

Derek Lowe's right elbow feels fine after throwing in the bullpen and he is scheduled to start Wednesday for the Braves against the Pirates. Lowe (11-12) missed his last scheduled start due to elbow soreness. He was encouraged after throwing lightly Sunday, and he threw in the bullpen Monday for the first time in three weeks.

Jose Reyes took batting practice from both sides of the plate Monday for the second straight day, in anticipation of a return sometime this week.

Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez missed Monday's series opener with Houston with a strained right quad and the length of his absence is uncertain. The Chicago third baseman, who homered for the second straight game in Sunday's 18-5 loss to the Mets, was replaced by veteran infielder Jeff Baker in the starting lineup as the Cubs and Astros met in a Labor Day matinee at Wrigley Field.

A day after a report that outfielder Colby Rasmus had asked the Cardinals for a trade and had a chilly relationship with manager Tony La Russa, the skipper insisted there was no "him or me" ultimatum on the table for 2011 and beyond.

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez did not start Monday so that he can receive treatment on a sore right quad. His status was day-to-day.

The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of infielder Esteban German from Triple-A Oklahoma City before Monday's game against the Blue Jays. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rangers designated infielder Alex Cora for assignment. An eight-year veteran who has also played for Oakland and Kansas City, German played in 19 games for the Rangers in 2009, batting .304 with no homers and four...

With Labor Day upon us and just four weeks left until the end of the season, there are four top storylines as we head toward another stirring postseason.

The Padres dropped their 10th game in a row, but they remain in first place over the Giants, who beat the Dodgers. The Cardinals took a series over the Reds.

A season that is slipping away for the St. Louis Cardinals has turned personal, with star slugger Albert Pujols criticizing young outfielder Colby Rasmus. Rasmus has admitted he wasn't always happy while playing for the Cardinals as a rookie last year and this season. The 24-year-old center fielder is denying reports, however, that he asked in July to be traded.

Jonathan Sanchez fanned nine over seven innings and Juan Uribe went deep as the Giants moved within one game of the NL West lead with a win over the Dodgers on Sunday.

Bill Mazeroski is known by Bucs fans for his Hall of Fame defense and humility, but it's his walk-off homer to end the 1960 World Series that will live on forever in bronze at PNC Park.

The Giants admit they're watching the scoreboard, even though they're in control of their own fate. They already knew the NL West-leading San Diego Padres had lost 4-2 to Colorado earlier Sunday for their 10th consecutive defeat. The Giants then went out and kept up the pressure, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 to move within a game of first place.

The ballpark fell silent as fans rose in alarm after a foul ball felled Florida Marlins rookie Logan Morrison in the on-deck circle. Morrison wasn't seriously hurt but left the game. His spot in the lineup was filled by recent minor league call-up Scott Cousins, who had fans standing again moments later, this time to cheer a wild victory.

Nick Blackburn delivered another strong outing on Sunday afternoon, and an umpire's ruling helped the Twins preserve a 6-5 victory over the Rangers at Target Field, and they completed the three-game series sweep.

No matter what they try, the San Diego Padres just keep losing. The NL West-leading Padres lost their 10th straight game Sunday as Melvin Mora hit a go-ahead single that sent the Colorado Rockies to a 4-2 win. "We have a sense of urgency right now," Padres pitcher Clayton Richard said. "We have a special opportunity and we are going to do every thing in our control to take advantage...