PHILADELPHIA – Charlie Manuel was fired as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, with his team way out of the pennant race and in a tailspin since the All-Star break.

Manuel, the winningest manager in franchise history, was replaced by Hall of Famer and former Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg, the Phillies’ third-base coach. Sandberg managed the Phillies’ Triple-A team at Lehigh Valley the previous two seasons.

“I never quit nothing and I didn’t resign,” Manuel said, making it clear this decision came from the front office.

With Manuel seated to his left, General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. broke down in tears after making the announcement and said the former manager has a job with the team if he wants it.

“You people may not know the relationship I’ve had with Charlie. He’s a special person. This is difficult for me. I hope he stays in our organization,” Amaro said.

ORIOLES: Pitching coach Rick Adair has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons, with no timetable for his return.

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No specific reason was given for Adair’s departure. He has been Baltimore’s pitching coach since June 14, 2011. Bullpen coach Billy Castro will take over for Adair and minor league rehab coordinator Scott McGregor will become bullpen coach.

CARDINALS: St. Louis called up touted prospect Kolten Wong and put him in the lineup against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, playing second base and batting sixth.

The 22-year-old was the 22nd overall pick in 2011. He hit .303 in 107 games at Memphis with 10 home runs and 20 steals.

BREWERS: Center fielder Carlos Gomez is day to day after he sprained his right knee making a leaping catch at the wall in Thursday’s loss to Cincinnati.

Gomez had an MRI on Friday that confirmed the sprain.

BRAVES: Infielder Tyler Pastornicky is out for the season after injuring his left knee in a collision with teammate Jason Heyward.

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Pastornicky will have surgery Monday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He took over as the starting second baseman this week when Dan Uggla went on the DL to have eye surgery.

ATHLETICS: Catcher John Jaso is likely to be out another three to four weeks and perhaps for the rest of the season as he recovers from a concussion.

Jaso flew to Pittsburgh Monday to be examined by renowned concussion expert Dr. Micky Collins after the catcher experienced nausea, dizziness, headaches and vision problems trying to play catch last week.

RANGERS: Right-hander Alexi Ogando likely will miss his scheduled start against Houston on Monday because of inflammation around a nerve in his right shoulder.


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