Mike Quade is 21-11 as interim manager of the Cubs and received his first public endorsement from one of his players on Tuesday. "He's been very upfront, very honest with all of us," Ryan Dempster said. "He's been tremendously supportive, he's given us a lot of confidence to go out there. What he's done for the bullpen- those guys have really stepped up and he's believed in them. "He's done a great job and I hope that he's here longer than just this year. I hope he's managing for us next year because he deserves it. He's done everything they've asked, and everyone in here really likes him."

Tim Lincecum's turn in the rotation is being pushed up a day to Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, making the Giants' ace available for a one-game playoff Monday with San Diego if the NL West title comes to that, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Braves plan to start Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe on three days? rest during this last week of their playoff push, according to an Associated Press report on Monday.

Ozzie Guillen is all set to return in 2011 as manager of the White Sox, according to an Associated Press report. Guillen is already under contract for next season with a team option for 2012, but there had been speculation he would leave to join another club. Guillen said he had separate discussions Monday with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Ken Williams. ?I?m very excited,? Guillen said before Monday night?s game against Boston. ?I want to be a White Sox for the rest of my life.?

Citing "personal and professional reasons," Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly has withdrawn his name from consideration for the team's managerial job, according to an ESPN.com report. Brenly, who managed the Diamondbacks to the 2001 World Series title, was expected to be among the candidates who would interview with GM Jim Hendry.

Jose Bautista hit his major league-leading 50th home run Thursday, a first-inning solo blast off Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez, as reported by the Associated Press. Bautista is the 26th player in baseball history to reach the 50-home run mark in a season, and the first since Prince Fielder (50) and Alex Rodriguez (54) did it in 2007.

Rangers reliever Darren Oliver pitched a perfect eighth inning on Wednesday night and earned himself a $3.25 million contract for the 2011 season. The appearance was Oliver's 59th of the season and triggered the option year in his deal with Texas. Had he not reached the vesting option threshold, the Rangers could have bought out the deal for 2011 for $500,000.

The Marlins are looking for alternative venues for a June 24-26 series against the Mariners next season because their is a U2 concert booked at Sun Life Stadium. Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel says one possible destination is Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico, but that isn't ideal because both clubs have to travel to the West Coast after the series.

Former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley said Thursday that owner Frank McCourt should sell the team, as "the current Dodger ownership has lost all credibility throughout the city." "In my judgment, it would be best for the franchise and the city if there was new ownership," O'Malley told The Los Angeles Times. McCourt said through a spokesman in response that he has no intention of selling the franchise.

Despite a recent rough patch, Francisco Cordero will remain the closer for the Reds. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker tried to squash rumors that rookie Aroldis Chapman might take over the role. "It hasn't changed. Chapman just learned how to relieve," Baker said. "That eighth inning and seventh inning is a whole lot easier than that ninth inning. Is this the place to experiment with that? With the guy that hasn't been there? In case he doesn't do it, do I go back to Coco and say, 'Hey man, I was just kidding.' Then you lose both of them."