Lookout Linkage, 8/24/14

The Mariners lead by a full game in the wild card and are set to sweep the Red Sox today in Fenway. While you're waiting for the game to start, catch up on the latest buzz here:

• Michael Saunders has been battling flu-like symptoms and will resume his rehab assignment in the next couple of days.
• Robinson Cano has been selected to play in an All-Star series in Japan in November.
• Cano recently talked about his decision to spurn the Yankees' offer and play for Seattle instead.
• Miles Wray at The Hardball Times discusses Cano's rise to fame.
• Bob Dutton of The News Tribune goes over the playoff chances for all of the American League contenders.
• Rangers' ace Yu Darvish, who was scheduled to make his first start back from injury against the M's in this upcoming series, will not travel to Seattle.
• Crawfish Boxes takes a look at the Astros' attempt cut down on strikeout rates in order to improve offense.
• News recently broke that it's still possible for the Astros to sign Brady Aiken.
• The Yankees have retired Joe Torre's jersey number (No. 6).
• Manny Machado is out for the season.
• Bartolo Colon has been placed on revocable waivers by the Mets.
• Masahiro Tanaka has resumed throwing again and could return to the Yankees in September.
• A man named Eliezer Lazo has plead guilty to the extortion of more than 1,000 Cubans, including multiple major league players.
• MLBAM may be close to revisiting its blackout policy.
• Dave Cameron of Fangraphs wonders whether Jonathan Lurcoy of the Brewers could win the NL MVP award.
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs looks at teams who have been helped and harmed the most by pitch framing.