Showalter’s tenure as Orioles manager over

Once hailed for making baseball in Baltimore relevant again after taking over in 2010, manager Buck Showalter is out after a nightmare season in which the Orioles finished 47-115, 61 games behind Boston in the AL East.

The Orioles, who made three playoff appearances under his guidance, staggered through their worst season since the team moved to Baltimore in 1954.

Showalter, 62, confirmed the dismissal Wednesday in a text message to the Associated Press.

A three-time AL manager of the year, Showalter ranks second on the Orioles’ career list with 669 victories, trailing Earl Weaver.

Russell accepts 40-game suspension

Chicago Cubs infielder Addison Russell has accepted a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. MLB had been investigating domestic violence allegations against Russell made by his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy.

Russell had denied the allegations, which Reidy detailed in a blog post in September.

Etc.

Theo Epstein says Joe Maddon will return for a fifth season as manager of the Chicago Cubs. Chicago’s president of baseball operations confirmed Maddon will stay on for at least the final year of his contract . ... Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona has finalized all but one spot for his ALDS roster. Francona is carrying 11 pitchers to face the Houston Astros, who will host Games 1 and 2 of the series starting Friday. Francona is weighing whether to keep outfielder Rajai Davis or utility infielder Erik Gonzalez. Davis hit a memorable home run in the 2016 World Series and can affect games with his speed. Gonzalez is protection in case of an injury to Jose Ramirez or Francisco Lindor.