Early Friday afternoon, Clint Hurdle had one of the hardest conversations of his managerial career with a player: He had to ask 2013 National League All-Star third baseman Pedro Alvarez to buy into trying a new position that could free him from his throwing yips.

Still awaiting results of an MRI, the Dodgers on Saturday seemed resigned to the fact that Hanley Ramirez will require a stint on the disabled list due to a right oblique injury.

Caleb Joseph’s unlikely assault on the MLB record book continued in Saturday’s 10-3 victory, as Joseph became the 15th catcher in Major League history to homer in five consecutive games.

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg held court prior to Saturday’s Rays-Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Prominent among the discussion was the topic of David Price, whom the Rays traded to the Tigers on July 31. Many fans have conveyed an understanding of why the Rays traded Price.

Derek Jeter claimed sole possession of sixth place on baseball’s all-time hits list, recording career hit No. 3,431 with a sixth-inning infield single off the Indians’ Corey Kluber on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

For a generation of fans, Paul O’Neill will forever be remembered as “The Warrior,” the emotional leader in a Yankees dynasty that celebrated four World Series championships in five seasons. His place in the new Stadium is now secure; the Yankees unveiled a bronze Monument Park plaque to honor O’Neill in a pregame ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

The last thing Indians manager Terry Francona is looking at right now is Michael Bourn’s batting average. The center fielder’s health is far more important than the early offensive results from his Minor League rehab assignment.

With two Minor League rehab starts under his belt, Michael Pineda said that he is ready to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation, giving manager Joe Girardi a choice to make in advance of next week’s showdown with the American League East-leading Orioles.

The Yankees placed catcher Brian McCann on the 7-day concussion disabled list on Saturday and recalled catcher Austin Romine from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Mark Teixeira said that it was “very painful” to attempt hitting off a tee and that he is not able to correctly grip a bat, but the Yankees’ first baseman is hopeful that he will be able to avoid the disabled list.

Adam Lind won’t require any more rehab games, and he is expected to rejoin the Blue Jays in time for their series opener against the Mariners in Seattle on Monday. Edwin Encarnacion was expected to appear in a rehab game with Class A Advanced Dunedin on Saturday.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

Jackie Bradley Jr. may have played just two innings in Friday’s game against the Angels, but his presence and importance in the Red Sox’s 4-2 win was definitely felt.

An awakening Mariners offense combined with the ongoing excellence of Hisashi Iwakuma on Friday night as Seattle won its fourth straight with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field.

Allen Webster knew that to have a chance at a win Friday night, he’d need to match Angels ace Jered Weaver pitch for pitch. The Red Sox’s No. 5 prospect did that and more in a 4-2 victory at Angel Stadium.

Despite a shaky seventh inning from starter Scott Kazmir, the A’s held on, 6-5, to take a 2-0 advantage in their four-game series against the Twins on Friday at O.co Coliseum.

Rajai Davis’ return to Rogers Centre for the first time since leaving for the Tigers required some extra effort at the end, as the left fielder made a terrific sliding grab for the last out of the game.