Describing his right ankle as “more sore” a day after rolling it while running in the indoor batting cage, David Freese said he does not expect to play during the rest of the Cardinals’ series against the Astros.

The Rays are pushing Matt Moore’s next start back a day as part of some final-week rotation jockeying. Initially slated to start Friday against the White Sox, the left-hander will now pitch Saturday in Chicago, a direct switch with right-hander Jeremy Hellickson.

Call it dealer’s choice. The Mets will allow R.A. Dickey to choose between making his final start on the last day of the season or the day before, manager Terry Collins said Tuesday.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez did not provide much of a reaction when asked about Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria’s decision to describe Gonzalez as a “colossal failure” during his years as the Marlins’ manager.

Down to the final regular-season homestand of his career, third baseman Chipper Jones intends to play in all six of the Braves’ games against the Marlins and Mets this week.

Michael Bourn was forced to wait one more day before getting a chance to return to the Braves’ starting lineup.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton’s home run total stands in the way of Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera and the Triple Crown, but Hamilton won’t mind if Cabrera is able to accomplish the historic feat.

The Tigers got quite a scare on Monday when ace pitcher Justin Verlander appeared to sustain a painful left shoulder injury. He was sore on Tuesday but insists he will be fine.

For the fifth consecutive game, manager Bobby Valentine produced a lineup card that did not include Jacoby Ellsbury.

As the Reds try to set their rotation for the playoffs, they made the decision to skip fifth starter Mike Leake this time around.

Brewers slugger Ryan Braun felt the same sense of indignation that swept the sports world after the Green Bay Packers’ stinging loss in Seattle on Monday Night Football.

The issues with Michael Morse’s left wrist have been touch-and-go for a few weeks now, and it seems that will remain the case for the rest of the year.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Tuesday that he wants Davey Johnson back as manager of the team next year.

The Rangers have scratched pitcher Yu Darvish from Tuesday’s start against the Athletics because of stiffness in his neck. Scott Feldman is starting instead.

If Roy Halladay wants to pitch one more time this season, he will. Halladay suffered the second-shortest start of his career Saturday because of spasms behind his right shoulder, but he will throw a bullpen session Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park to try to extend his season.

Reds manager Dusty Baker revealed on Tuesday that he suffered a “mini-stroke” on Friday while he was being discharged from a Chicago hospital.

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, with AT&T Park and McCovey Cove as a backdrop, Major League Baseball officials announced the details regarding venues, pools and formats for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.