Top News:
Adam McCalvy / Brew Beat:
Brewers re-sign Jeffress to Minors deal — The Brewers have agreed to a Minor League deal with former first-round draft pick Jeremy Jeffress, marking a fresh start for a pitcher whose first tenure included two suspensions for marijuana. — Jeffress had been let go by the Blue Jays last week …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Sign Jeremy Jeffress — The Brewers have signed reliever Jeremy Jeffress to a minor league deal, the club announced (per a tweet from MLB.com's Adam McCalvy). Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported earlier (on Twitter) that it appeared a deal was in the works.
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Jeremy Jeffress Elects Free Agency
Jeremy Jeffress Elects Free Agency
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Brew Crew Ball, HardballTalk, Bluebird Banter and Al's Ramblings
Canadian Press:
Simon leads Reds over Cubs for Chicago's fifth straight loss — CHICAGO — Alfredo Simon lowered his ERA to 0.86, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Friday for their 16th win in their last 17 games at Wrigley Field. — Making his third start, Simon (2-1) …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
There was a time — and not too long ago — Cubs were destination — NEW YORK — Alfonso Soriano spent much of his time in the Yankees' clubhouse early Wednesday talking about his losing seasons with the Cubs and the trade to New York last summer that he thinks will give him a shot at reaching another World Series.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
Jeff Todd / MLB Rumors:
Pirates Acquire Ike Davis From Mets — 6:22pm: The PTBNL is “fairly significant,” tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. It is worth bearing in mind, as Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com points out on Twitter, that 2013 draft picks still cannot technically be included in a deal.
Discussion:
Metsblog, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Bucs Dugout and Amazin' Avenue
Jeff Todd / MLB Rumors:
Jason Bartlett To Retire — Infielder Jason Bartlett has told the Twins he will retire, reports Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter links). Though the club has asked him to reconsider, says Berardino, the expectation is that he will file his papers.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Teixeira expected in lineup on Sunday — ST. PETERSBURG — First baseman Mark Teixeira played three innings in a Minor League game on Thursday at the team's complex in Tampa, Fla., and is expected to return to the big league lineup on Sunday against the Rays. — “He had a really good day,” manager Joe Girardi said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, SI Wire and CBSSports.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Rumors:
Athletics Extend Sean Doolittle — The Athletics have agreed to a five-year contract extension with left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle, the club announced (via Twitter). The deal covers the current season and runs through 2018, after which time Oakland will have a pair of options for the 2019 and 2020 campaigns.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Athletics Nation and SI Wire
Associated Press:
Yanks' Teixeira tests leg, 'couldn't be happier' — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira singled in five at-bats Friday during his second extended spring training game since injuring his right leg. — Teixeira played five innings of defense in an intrasquad game at the Yankees' minor league complex.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and ESPN
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves-Phillies rainout makeup date announced — NEW YORK — The Braves-Phillies game that was rained out Tuesday in Philadelphia will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on June 28, with start times of 2:05 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park. — The makeup game will turn …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Albert Chen / Sports Illustrated:
Ranking the 10 best pitching rotations in MLB this season — Fresh off his first Cy Young, Max Scherzer leads a strong Detroit rotation into the 2014 season. — DETROIT — Max Scherzer had a good offseason. He collected his Cy Young Award; married his college sweetheart, Erica May …
Discussion:
The Strike Zone
Chris Cotillo / MLB Daily Dish:
Freddy Garcia close to signing in Asia — The 37-year old appears headed to Asia after being released by the Braves at the end of spring training. — Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia is close to signing with an undisclosed team in Asia, according to major league sources.
Discussion:
The Strike Zone, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors