LEADING OFF: Twins check Sano's leg, 3 teams oust managers

Posted October 01, 2017 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2017, file photo, Minnesota Twins' Miguel Sano smiles before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego. Sano is coming back just in time for the playoffs. The Twins activated their All-Star third baseman on Friday, Sept. 29, in time for the season's final series against Detroit. Sano has missed 38 games with a stress reaction after fouling a ball off his left shin, and had been on the 10-day disabled list. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:

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WILD WORKOUT

The Yankees and Twins will hold workouts in New York ahead of Tuesday's AL wild-card game at Yankee Stadium, and eyes will be on Minnesota's Miguel Sano. The hulking slugger is 1 for 8 in three games since missing 38 games with a stress reaction in his left shin. Sano was pinch hit for in the eighth inning Sunday after he felt some discomfort in his leg, said manager Paul Molitor. The team will wait to see how he responds before making decisions on his availability for the game against the Yankees.

GOOD JOBS AVAILABLE

The day after the regular season ends can be a jittery one for managers, but three teams have gotten a jump on the offseason by dumping their skippers already. The Phillies announced that Pete Mackanin will not return as manager in 2018, though he will stay in the organization. Brad Ausmus won't be back as manager of the Tigers, who are already interviewing candidates to replace him. And Terry Collins resigned as manager of the Mets to take a job in the team's front office. One last-place skipper who won't have to worry is Oakland's Bob Melvin, whose contract was extended through 2019. Baltimore's Buck Showalter is also considered safe despite a poor September that dropped the Orioles to their first last-place finish since 2011, Showalter's first full season with the team.

QUESTIONS IN WASHINGTON

Bryce Harper isn't the only Nationals player who goes into the playoffs with questions about how effective he can be. Harper, who came off the disabled list Tuesday after missing six weeks with a knee injury, went 2 for 4 on Sunday. He was 1 for 14 in his first four games after being activated. Meanwhile, Washington's vaunted starting rotation is suddenly looking more vulnerable. Gio Gonzalez, the likely starter for Game 3 of the NL Division Series, closed out the season with two rough outings, allowing nine runs in 9 1/3 innings. And Max Scherzer left his last pre-playoffs start in the fourth inning with discomfort in his right hamstring. Scherzer said Sunday that he only "tweaked" the muscle.

BEST OF THE REST

The Brewers ended 2017 with the best record among teams that didn't make the playoffs. Milwaukee finished 86-76, one game behind Colorado for the second NL wild card and six games back of the first-place Cubs in the NL Central. Still, the Brewers did a lot of things well in a season that saw them hold at least a share of first place for 65 days. Milwaukee improved by 13 games over the previous season. "We'll keep our heads held high and we'll be excited about the future for this team," shortstop Eric Sogard said.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin tips his cap to the crowd prior to a baseballgame against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) The Associated Press

New York Mets manager Terry Collins walks from his office after resigning as manager following a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Philadelphia. New York Mets manager Terry Collins resigned Sunday and will take a position in the team's front office. Collins announced the move after the Mets lost to Philadelphia 11-0 to finish the season. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) The Associated Press

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper gets ready to bat, while in the on-deck circle during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

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