MLB notebook: Former New York Yankees GM Stick Michael dies

Gene "Stick" Michael, the New York Yankees executive who was the architect of the team's late-1990s dynasty, has died of a heart attack. He was 79.

Michael served as Yankees manager in 1981-82 and as their general manager from 1991-95. During his time as general manager, Michael built the team's farm system and drafted superstar shortstop Derek Jeter to go along with fellow Core Four representatives Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.

Nickname "Stick" for his tall, slender build, Michael signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played for the club in 1966. He then competed with the Dodgers the following season before the Yankees purchased his contract. Michael played seven years for New York before finishing his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1975.

--Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee and is expected to play in Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners.

Pujols traveled to Los Angeles on Wednesday to undergo an MRI exam after pain in the knee persisted. He injured the knee while sliding into second base against the Texas Rangers on Friday.

A significant injury was ruled out during Thursday's examination.

The knee injury comes at a time in which Pujols has been red-hot during a six-game hitting streak. He is 13-for-24 with two homers and 14 RBIs during the stretch. Pujols is batting .244 with 21 homers and 93 RBIs this season.

--Outfielder Victor Robles, 20, one of the top prospects in the minor leagues, was called by the Washington Nationals after he began this season at high Single-A Potomac of the Carolina League.

Robles was the top prospect in the Washington system prior to this season, according to Baseball America. He hit a combined .300 with 37 doubles, 10 homers and 27 steals between Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg of the Eastern League in 2017.

Washington manager Dusty Baker said the surprise promotion of Robles was due in part to the status of injured outfielder Brian Goodwin (left groin strain), who had a recent setback and might not be ready for the first round of postseason play. Goodwin, who went on the disabled list August 16, is hitting .251 with 13 homers in 74 games while playing mostly left field.

--The Chicago White Sox placed right-hander Jake Petricka on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow strain and sent outfielder Willy Garcia to Class-A Kannapolis on a rehabilitation assignment.

Petricka is making his second trip to the disabled list this season, as the 29-year-old was sidelined from June 26-July 27 with a right lat strain. He owns a 1-1 mark with a 7.01 ERA in 27 appearances this season.

Garcia has been on the disabled list since Friday after sustaining a concussion following a collision with Yoan Moncada in the previous day's game versus Toronto. The 25-year-old Garcia is batting .258 with two homers, 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored in 40 games with the White Sox.