MLB REPORT

CHICAGO CUBS

With its eighth straight win Tuesday, the club has reached 70 wins in only 111 games, the fewest since its last World Series appearance in 1945.

• IF Tommy La Stella has refused to report to Class AAA Iowa after being optioned to the minors nearly two weeks ago, and the team placed him on the temporary inactive list Tuesday.

MIAMI MARLINS

Barry Bonds was ejected from the game against San Francisco for arguing balls and strikes.

The home run king and Marlins hitting coach was in the dugout when he was thrown out Wednesday by plate umpire Cory Blaser after Chris Johnson was called out on strikes to end the sixth inning.

It was the first ejection for Bonds since he returned to the majors this year with the Marlins.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Manager Joe Girardi is staying with his plan to start Alex Rodriguez for Thursday’s series finale at Fenway Park despite a change in Boston’s rotation. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez will start for Boston instead of knuckleballer Steven Wright because the RHP jammed his pitching shoulder while diving into a base as pinch runner in a game against the Dodgers.

TEXAS RANGERS

Prince Fielder officially will not be able to come back after a second neck surgery.

The slugger wept Wednesday as he said health issues were forcing him to end his 12-season major league career. He was still wearing a neck brace 12 days after his second cervical fusion in just over two years.

“To not be able to play, it’s going to be tough,” said Fielder, once one of the most durable players in the majors.

Fielder was limited to 289 games in Texas, including the two season-ending neck surgeries.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The team has placed slugger Jose Bautista on the 15-day DL because of a sprained left knee.

Bautista stumbled and fell while attempting to make a throw from right field in the third inning Tuesday. He finished the game but his knee worsened overnight, leading to an MRI on Wednesday that confirmed a Grade 1 sprain.