Nelson Cruz was in the Rangers' lineup on Saturday for the first time since straining his left hamstring muscle on Aug. 28 against the Angels.

A pair of right-handers will face off in the final game of the series, as the Tribe sends Justin Masterson to the hill against Carl Pavano of the Twins on Sunday at Target Field.

Bryan LaHair belted a solo shot deep to center field to lift the Cubs to their 4,000th win at Wrigley Field on Saturday, a 2-1 victory that handed the Astros their 100th loss of the year.

Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes suffered back spasms after throwing his bullpen session on Friday, and will be moved back a day or two to make sure he's 100 percent the next time he starts.

Erik Bedard hasn't been ruled out as a potential starter for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles at Fenway Park.

Had Bobby Jenks' rehab assignment in Salem during late August gone smoothly, his back healing enough to allow him to pitch without pain, he might never have discovered the blood clot that's been sitting in his lung.

The Dodgers Friday asked permission of a bankruptcy court to auction their media rights in a move owner Frank McCourt says will allow him to keep the club. A hearing is set for October 12.

Johan Santana, who was unable to make it back to the Mets this season after his shoulder surgery, will throw a simulated game on Sunday in Florida, then pitch in the instructional league.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland didn't want to discuss the decisions looming for making out the postseason roster until Detroit actually earned a spot in the postseason. Now that they're in, he'll discuss them to a point.

Ryan Dempster, who has a player option for 2012, could be pitching his final game at Wrigley Field when he starts on Sunday. Brett Myers will try to ensure the Astros salvage the finale of this three-game set.

Chipper Jones said on Wednesday that he was hoping to get out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup and back to a place where he could have more of an opportunity to drive in runs. He got his wish on Saturday.

Tommy Hanson and Kris Medlen continued their rehab process on Saturday at Turner Field. Hanson threw his final side session, and Medlen threw live batting practice for the first time.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi hasn't settled on how he'll map out his rotation next week, a week that will feature an eight-game homestand and a Wednesday doubleheader against the Rays.

One day after an encouraging batting-practice session, Alex Rodriguez was back in the lineup Saturday, as expected. But he wasn't in his usual spot in the batting order. Manager Joe Girardi batted him fifth against the Jays at Rogers Centre.

The Tigers captured the American League Central crown Friday night by beating the A's, 3-1, at the Coliseum behind another brilliant start from Doug Fister.

While the AL Wild Card race has taken center stage this weekend — and rightfully so with the Rays and Red Sox battling head to head — the National League race has proven to be just as thrilling.

Rookie right-hander Blake Beavan shut down the Rangers' red-hot offense and C.J. Wilson could not overcome one really strange inning in the Mariners' 4-0 win on Friday.