Justin Morneau out for division series

Minnesota’s Justin Morneau was back out on the field, taking ground balls and getting in some swings Saturday morning. But Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire officially confirmed what Morneau had indicated Thursday, that the first baseman will not be included on the roster for the American League division series.

Morneau had worked out extensively before Thursday’s game, but took things easy Friday. Although the Twins didn’t take batting practice Saturday, the club set up an extra session of hitting and infield so that Morneau and a couple of other players could get in some work.

“He feels good,” said Gardenhire, who watched the session. “His legs feel good and that’s the big thing. He got a nice workout in, took some swings, took some ground balls — everything feels good.”

Morneau, who has not played since he suffered a concussion on July 7 in Toronto, said Thursday that he’s hopeful that he could return for the AL Championship Series should the Twins advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Etc.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista became the seventh player in major league history with at least 50 home runs, 100 walks and 30 doubles in the same season, joining Luis Gonzalez, Sammy Sosa, Hack Wilson, Jimmie Foxx, Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth. … With Josh Thole’s game-ending home run Friday night, the Mets became the first big league team to get game-ending homers from three catchers in one season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Retiring Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox was given a new car from the Braves and an 11-night cruise from his players in a ceremony before Atlanta’s game against the Phillies. There were 70 of Cox’s former players in attendance, including Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Dale Murphy, Phil Niekro, Gary Sheffield and David Justice. … Stan Musial rode in a golf cart for a lap around the Busch Stadium warning track as part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ campaign to have the 89-year-old Hall of Famer honored with the Presidential Freedom medal. … The Boston Red Sox honored retiring infielder Mike Lowell during a pregame ceremony. Lowell was the 2007 World Series MVP. During the ceremony, pitcher Josh Beckett, who came to Boston from Florida with Lowell in a trade before the 2006 season, gave him the third base bag.

Baltimore’s Buck Showalter is the first manager since 1900 to take over a team in August or later and win more games through the remainder of the season than the team had won before he took over the job. Baltimore was 32-73 under Dave Trembley and Juan Samuel, and is 33-22 since Showalter assumed control on Aug. 3.