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.”

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.

Justin Upton's 3-Run HR Helps Braves Top Reds 5-4  —  ATLANTA — Justin Upton hit a three-run homer to continue another strong April, Ervin Santana earned his third win and the Atlanta Braves held off the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Friday night.  —  Craig Kimbrel gave up a leadoff single …

Pujols, Angels Rough Up Yankees 13-1  —  NEW YORK — Albert Pujols hit one of Los Angeles' four home runs, C.J. Wilson kept New York in check again and the Angels roughed up the road weary Yankees 13-1 Friday night.  —  Pujols hit homer No. 501 and Ian Stewart had a two-run shot off Hiroki Kuroda …

Ventura leads Royals past Orioles; Davis injured  —  BALTIMORE — Yordano Ventura scattered seven hits over eight innings Friday night as the Kansas City Royals cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, who played the latter part of the game without injured slugger Chris Davis.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.