Ian Kinsler led off the game with a home run, Derek Holland won for the first time since mid-May and the AL West-leading Texas Rangers stopped their losing streak at five Wednesday night with an 8-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Nelson Cruz also homered for Texas, which had lost seven in a row to the Blue Jays since a victory on opening day.

There may only be a little over 3 1/2 weeks left in the regular season, but Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said Wednesday that he's still optimistic that he'll be back on the field by the end of the year.

Joe Torre says he's waiting to announce whether he'll return to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers next year. Torre had previously said he would make the announcement around Labor Day. But he said before Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres he is not yet ready to divulge it. Torre says he'll let everyone know once the Dodgers clinch a playoff spot or are eliminated.

Unless there's a change in the umpiring crew, Jim Joyce is on track to work behind the plate for Friday's series opener between the Tigers and the Orioles, when Armando Galarraga is scheduled to start.

The roller coaster rehabilitation ride of Brandon Webb continued Wednesday as the D-backs right-hander came out of a bullpen session feeling encouraged.

Career saves leader Trevor Hoffman says he's got a lot of decisions to make and work left to do. He'll have to decide where to hang the huge oil painting commissioned in honor of his 600th career save, where to put the ball from Tuesday night's achievement and when to respond to the hundreds of calls and text messages he received.

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins left the game against the Florida Marlins after the third inning with tightness in his right hamstring. The Phillies said Rollins is day-to-day. Rollins gingerly ran to second base and didn't slide on a two-out double in the third inning Wednesday night. He didn't have his usual burst around third base when he scored on Carlos Ruiz's single.

Jim Thome's climb up the home run charts has been put on hold. The Minnesota Twins designated hitter was a late scratch for the series finale against Kansas City on Thursday night. The team says Thome was scratched for precautionary reasons with a mild abdominal strain. He is listed as day-to-day. Thome hit four homers in his last three games, including two that had the Target Field distance...

The Phillies said shortstop Jimmy Rollins left Wednesday's game against the Florida Marlins because of tightness in his right hamstring.

Justin Morneau hasn't played in a game in more than two months, and it's been difficult for him to watch his Minnesota Twins slug through a pennant race without him -- in more ways than one. Morneau said on Wednesday that he is still optimistic that he will eventually return from his concussion to help out in 2010, even though he still can't sit in the dugout to watch a full nine...

Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson has right shoulder inflammation and a strained mid-back, making it unclear when the All-Star will return to the mound. Johnson was examined Wednesday in Florida. There was no structural damage found and he will rejoin the Marlins on Friday for a series in Washington, but the team has not decided when he might pitch again.

September baseball is here with its storybook drama and memorable pennant races, and MLB.com is helping fans usher it in by announcing Wednesday that, along with lowered prices for MLB.TV, its At Bat sale has been extended.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton played a light game of catch before Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, the first step toward returning to action for baseball's leading hitter. Hamilton, whose .361 average is the highest in the majors, hasn't played since bruising his ribs after crashing into the outfield wall in Minnesota last Saturday.

Ricky Nolasco underwent surgery on his right knee Wednesday and ace Josh Johnson returned to Miami to have his inflamed right shoulder and strained back evaluated.