MLB rumors: Latest news headed into the season’s final week
The MLB season enters its last week, and really the only races left to decide are the AL West and the second AL Wild Card. The Houston Astros picked up a big series win this weekend against the Texas Rangers to climb back within 2.5 games of the Rangers for the AL West.
The Angels and Twins are still hanging around for the second wild card, and LA will have a chance to take it (and maybe the AL West) with a season finale four-game series at Texas this coming weekend.
Check out the latest MLB news and rumors below as the season concludes.
• After being a pre-season favorite for the World Series, the Nationals’ disappointing season is going out as bad as it possibly can. Sunday, MVP candidate Bryce Harper and closer Jonathan Papelbon got into a heated dugout argument, which resulted in ‘Pap’ taking Harper by the throat. The Nationals announced on Monday that Papelbon would be suspended for the final four games of the year.
• In the fallout, Fox Sports’ CJ Nitkowski reports that MLB players “overwhelmingly support Papelbon” in the mix-up.
• Over the weekend, the Detroit Tigersannounced that manager Brad Ausmus would be returning to the club in 2016. It had been reported earlier in September that Ausmus would be fired at season’s end.
• The Angels’ playoff push has hit five-straight wins after a sweep of the Mariners this weekend, but they may be without closer Houston Street after he aggravated a groin injury Saturday.
• While the Mariners were getting swept, it appears that their management is getting closer to hiring a new general manager. Seattle fired Jack Zduriencik in August after seven years as GM, and are reportedly planing to hire former Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto to replace him.
• Red Sox slugger David Ortiz took plate appearance number 600 for the season on Sunday. That milestone ensures that he will max out his 2016 contract option at $16 million.
