MLB: Cardinals fire Mike Matheny with team hovering near .500

The St. Louis Cardinals have fired manager Mike Matheny during his seventh season with the team hovering around .500.

The Cardinals announced Matheny’s firing after an 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night, a defeat that dropped St. Louis to 47-46 and seven games back of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs.

Matheny went 591-473 as manager, and his tenure included a loss to the Boston Red Sox in the 2013 World Series. Matheny was a Gold Glove Award-winning catcher with St. Louis from 2000-2004 before getting his first managerial job with the club prior to the 2012 season.

The Cardinals made the playoffs in Matheny’s first four seasons before missing the past two postseasons.

Hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were also fired, and bench Coach Mike Shildt was named the team’s interim manager.

Etc.

Tampa Bay catcher Wilson Ramos will miss next week’s All-Star Game after leaving Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with left hamstring tightness.

Named the American League’s starting catcher, Ramos said he’s “probably” going to face a stint on the disabled list. He injured the hamstring running to first base in the sixth inning of Tampa Bay’s 19-6 win. Indians catcher Yan Gomes was named to the AL roster in Ramos’ place.

Ramos, who was named an All-Star for the second time and first time as a starter, has hit .297 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs this season for the Rays.

“I was very excited to participate in that game,” Ramos said. “Now, it’s very sad because I will be out of the lineup. I worked really hard to make that team.”

Ramos said he will still attend the All-Star game before returning to Tampa to rehab. Tampa Bay did not officially announce a roster move after the game.

Washington manager Dave Martinez met with star Bryce Harper a day after the outfielder failed to run out a ground ball of the Nationals’ 4-2 loss to the New York Mets and dismissed the notion that there would be any lingering issues. ... Closer Arodys Vizcaino was put on the disabled list by the Atlanta Braves because of right shoulder inflammation. He has 15 saves in 17 chances.