Sandy Alomar Jr. has guided the Cleveland Indians to a 24-18 record this season while serving as acting manager in place of Terry Francona, who has persevered through a spate of health issues but appears on track to join the club for the playoffs.

It still remains possible for Francona to reunite with the Indians in the American League postseason bubble with Cleveland in the field as AL Central champs. (MORE)

The visiting Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals continue their battle for playoff berths when they open their five-game series Thursday.

The Cardinals (27-26) and Cincinnati Reds (29-28) are tied for second in the National League Central, both one game above .500. The Brewers (27-28) are one game back of them, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies (28-29) in the race for the second NL wild-card slot. (MORE)

Even after clinching their division title, as well as the best record in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers might be playing one of their most important games of the season at home Thursday against the Oakland Athletics.

Right-hander Walker Buehler is scheduled to come off the injured list and start Thursday, testing the blister on his right index finger that has placed him on the disabled list twice in the last 4 1/2 weeks. It will be his first career outing against Oakland. (MORE)

WASHINGTON (AP) The New York Mets placed Michael Conforto on the injured list Thursday with a hamstring injury, ending the outfielder's regular season.

Conforto was first hurt Sunday, sat out two games and then returned in Wednesday's loss to Tampa Bay. Manager Luis Rojas said Conforto aggravated the injury running to first base in the eighth inning. (MORE)

MILAN (AP) Zlatan Ibrahimović has the coronavirus, AC Milan confirmed on Thursday.

Milan players underwent tests on Wednesday after defender Léo Duarte was found to be infected following tests the previous day. (MORE)