Major League Baseball quotes of the week

“Everybody makes mistakes. You have to be careful when you make your mistakes. Now is not a good time to make a mistake.”

--Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles outfielder, on the 25-game suspension levied Friday against teammate Chris Davis, who acknowledged unauthorized use of the stimulant Adderall.

“We’re playing for our lives now.”

--Bob Melvin, Oakland Athletics manager, on a team in danger of missing the playoffs after holding the best record in the majors for most of the summer.

“I’m very distressed that the report was leaked early so that the initial headline said ‘dismissed, fired.’ That’s 180 degrees from the arrangement we have potentially.”

--Tony La Russa, Arizona Diamondbacks chief baseball officer, who fired Kevin Towers as general manager but offered him another position in the organization.