MLB makes 1st major adjustment of replay era, tweaks transfer rule  —  A catch is a catch again.  —  Major League Baseball made its first major adjustment of the replay era on Friday, going back to a less strict interpretation of the transfer rule, effective immediately.

Tommy John surgery ‘epidemic’?  —  More than a dozen big league pitchers have already had the surgery this year  —  As he watched Kris Medlen walk off the mound in mid-inning last month and head straight for the trainer, Frank Wren already had that “sickening feeling” in his stomach.

NY Mets' Daniel Murphy explains “game within the game” that happens between every pitch; latest on Joel Hanrahan, Stephen Drew; Yankees beat Red Sox  —  Ask Terry Collins why the Mets are 12-10, despite a tough early schedule, absent offense, and geriatric bullpen, and he says, “we're catching the ball.”

Ball-transfer rule clarified; enforcement begins tonight  —  Play should be declared a catch by virtue of being secure in player's glove  —  Major League Baseball's Playing Rules Committee provided today a clearer interpretation of the play that occurs when a fielder loses possession of a ball …

Buehrle eyes some history as Blue Jays host Red Sox  —  The Sports Network  —  TORONTO - Mark Buehrle eyes up a historic win Friday night when the Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Boston Red Sox to town for the opener of a three-game set between American League East rivals.

Adrian Beltre returns, Kevin Kouzmanoff goes to DL for Texas Rangers; Shin-Soo Choo sits again  —  SEATTLE - A week ago, the Texas Rangers faced the dilemma of what to with hot hitting Kevin Kouzmanoff when regular third baseman Adrian Beltre returned from the DL.  —  These things have a way of working themselves out.

Giants Sign Travis Ishikawa  —  The Giants have signed first baseman Travis Ishikawa to a minor league contract, MLBTR's Zach Links reports (Twitter links).  Ishikawa will report to Triple-A Fresno after taking his physical today, and the contract contains an out clause if Ishikawa doesn't make the club's 25-man roster.

Mookie Wilson: I went from Mets hero to ‘hood ornament’  —  Mookie Wilson at an All-Star Game press conference at Citi Field in 2013  —  Mookie Wilson isn't feeling loved by the Mets.  —  The 1986 World Series hero, who still serves as a club ambassador, writes in his soon …

What Scouts Are Saying  —  Many of our authors make a habit of speaking to scouts and other talent evaluators in order to bring you the best baseball information available.  Not all of the tidbits gleaned from those conversations make it into our articles, but we don't want them to go to waste.

Hardy no longer answering contract questions  —  TORONTO — Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who returned to the O's lineup on Wednesday night for the series finale against the Blue Jays, will no longer discuss the status of his contract, which has him set to be a free agent at the end of this year.

Panda, seeking $100M plus, is testing Giants' record for keeping stars  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Some folks were surprised when the San Francisco Giants, a team that's unmatched in its resolve and record for keeping its best players, announced that contract talks were being tabled …

Chacin throws 80 pitches, feels fine in rehab start  —  Rockies right-hander could return soon despite only 12 Minor League innings  —  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jhoulys Chacin took another step toward rejoining the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night.  —  The 6-foot-3, 215-pound righty …