Giants announce World Series rotation
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(6:11 pm ET) Giants manager Bruce Bochy will maintain his current rotation for the World Series, which means Madison Bumgarner and Jake Peavy will start Games 1 and 2 in Kansas City, the San Francisco Chronicle reports Saturday. Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong will pitch Games 3 and 4 at home.

Bochy is also expected to keep veteran Tim Lincecum on the roster. Lincecum has yet to make an appearance this postseason for San Francisco.

Royals tab James Shields for Game 1, Yordano Ventura for Game 2
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(3:18 pm ET) The Royals will start pitchers James Shields in Game 1 and Yordano Ventura in Game 2 of the World Series, Yahoo! Sports reports. The Royals are making their first World Series appearance in 29 years.

Cord Phelps elects free agency
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:41 am ET) Orioles infielder Cord Phelps has elected free agency. Phelps hit .259/.361/.388 with seven home runs, 51 RBI and two stolen bases in 343 at-bats with Triple-A Norfolk.

Kelvin De La Cruz elects free agency
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:39 am ET) Orioles pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz has elected free agency. He delivered a 5.98 ERA and 49:31 K:BB ratio in 49 2/3 innings with Triple-A Norfolk.

Julio DePaula elects free agency
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:37 am ET) Orioles pitcher Julio DePaula has elected free agency. DePaula, whose only work as a major-league game in 2007 with the Twins, posted a 4.97 ERA and 43:13 K:BB ratio in 38 innings with Double-A Bowie.

Reds pitcher Trevor Bell elects free agency
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(10/17/2014) Reds pitcher Trevor Bell has elected to become a free-agent.

Bell pitched just two-thirds of an inning in the majors last season due to elbow inflammation. He’ll seek a deal with another club during the offseason.

Cardinals may not be able to keep Pat Neshek
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(10/17/2014) Cardinals reliever Pat Neshek may have to test the open market this winter, according to MLB.com.

After his performance last season, there’s a sense that Neshek has priced himself out of St. Louis’ bullpen. Neshek was exceptional with the club, posting a 1.87 ERA over 67 1/3 innings. The performance earned him a trip to the All-Star Game. The team will likely attempt to re-sign Neshek, but there’s a sense he can get a more lucrative deal elsewhere. 

Report: Former Orioles infielder Brian Roberts to retire
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(10/17/2014) Former Orioles infielder Brian Roberts is set to retire, according to MASN.

Roberts played 14 seasons in the majors, all but one of which came with Baltimore. He finished out his career with the Yankees last season. Roberts was elected to two All-Star teams during his tenure in Baltimore. He finished 18th in the MVP voting in 2005 after hitting .314/.387/.515. Injuries kept him down the last few seasons of his career. Roberts suffered two concussions, which contributed to him missing time in both 2010, 2011 and 2012. 

He retires with a career .276/.347/.409 batting line over 5,531 at-bats. 

Phillies send Andres Blanco to Triple-A
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(10/17/2014) The Phillies sent infielder Andres Blanco to Triple-A Friday. 

With the move, the club opens up a spot on the 40-man roster. Blanco played 25 games in the majors last year, hitting .277 over 47 at-bats. 

Rangers, Colby Lewis have exchanged numbers
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(10/17/2014) The Rangers have had some preliminary contract talks with pitcher Colby Lewis, according to ESPN.

Lewis put up less-than-stellar numbers last season, but was coming off hip and elbow surgery. He was better over the second half, posting a 3.86 ERA over 86 1/3 innings. Both Lewis and the club have shown interest in a possible reunion, and have exchanged contract figures.