Ballbug: How the Unseen Post-Draft Process Works (Joshua Kusnick/Baseball Prospectus)

Canadian Press:

Yankees pitcher Tanaka to meet with team's head physician — CLEVELAND — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who is on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow, was expected to meet with a team doctor Thursday night in Seattle. — New York manager Joe Girardi said Tanaka …

Discussion: Pinstripe Alley

Tanaka Has Slightly Torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman gave reporters devastating news today, as he revealed that Masahiro Tanaka has a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and Tommy John surgery is possible (All Twitter links to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News).

Discussion: Minnesota Twins News … and HardballTalk

Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
BP mishap leaves Beltran with facial fractures

Discussion: HardballTalk and Red Sox Monster

Associated Press:

Volquez Leads Pirates to 9-1 Win Over Cardinals — ST. LOUIS — Edinson Volquez tossed a complete game six-hitter to win his fourth straight start and the Pittsburgh Pirates downed the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 on Thursday night. — Neil Walker, Josh Harrison, Russell Martin and Andrew McCutchen …

Discussion: Viva El Birdos, Canadian Press and TSN.ca

Yadier Molina Out Eight To Twelve Weeks With Torn Thumb Ligament — Catcher Yadier Molina of the Cardinals has suffered a torn thumb ligament, tweets Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is expected to miss eight to twelve weeks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).

Discussion: Viva El Birdos and Bucs Dugout

Canadian Press: Lynn reaches double figures; Cardinals beat Pirates

Associated Press:

Sale, Rizzo, Aybar Added to All-Star Rosters — NEW YORK — Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale and Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo were voted by fans onto the rosters for Tuesday's All-Star game, and Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar will replace Kansas City outfielder Alex Gordon.

Discussion: Reuters, Canadian Press and Halos Heaven

Discussion: South Side Sox, Purple Row and Talking Chop

Associated Press:

Mike Trout, Angles plate 15 in romp over Rangers — ARLINGTON, Texas — Kole Calhoun got the Los Angeles Angels off to a fast start with a leadoff triple, and he trotted home after an errant relay throw bounced into the seats. — All-Star center fielder Mike Trout and the rest …

Discussion: Lone Star Ball and ESPN

Associated Press:

Tigers Maul Second-Place Royals in 16-4 Romp — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Everybody in Detroit's lineup had at least one hit and scored one run, the season-best offensive onslaught spurring the Tigers to a 16-4 rout of the Kansas City Royals in the opener of their four-game series Thursday night.

Discussion: Royals Review, Canadian Press and Associated Press

John Harper / NY Daily News:

Travis d'Arnaud leading Mets' power surge — If last night's shot deep into the left field seats off Ervin Santana wasn't proof enough, consider this little tidbit: On the golf course d'Arnaud says he hits his driver 370 yards off the tee. — You didn't really need to see it to know the ball was gone.

Discussion: Newsday, Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue

Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Dillon Gee returns to mound as Mets top Braves 4-1 for four-game winning streak

Discussion: New York Post, MLB.com, New York Times, New Jersey Online, Metsblog and ESPN

John Jeansonne / Newsday:
Dillon Gee's return a success as Mets win fourth straight

Discussion: MLB.com, New York Post, Amazin' Avenue, ESPN and Metsblog

Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:

Arismendy Alcantara earns more time in majors — CINCINNATI — At this rate, Arismendy Alcantara might never go back to the minor leagues. — The first of the Cubs' top hitting prospects to reach the majors, Alcantara earned an extended stay in the big leagues with a four-hit game Thursday …

Joshua Kusnick / Baseball Prospectus:

How the Unseen Post-Draft Process Works — Joshua Kusnick is an MLBPA-certified agent who periodically writes about his experiences representing professional players. You can reach him via email at JoshuaKusnick@aol.com and on Twitter @JoshuaKusnick. — The draft is behind us, and short-season ball has begun.

Canadian Press:

Pearce homers as Orioles edge Nationals, widen AL East lead — BALTIMORE — Steve Pearce homered and scored twice to help Wei-Yin Chen earn his ninth victory, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Thursday night for their eighth win in 10 games.

Discussion: Camden Chat and Federal Baseball

MLB.com:

Giants could be interested in deal for Zobrist — SAN FRANCISCO — The already active speculation about the Giants' interest in Tampa Bay handyman Ben Zobrist has increased. — Giants special assignment scout Pat Burrell recently was seen at Tropicana Field, where other San Francisco scouts …

Discussion: McCovey Chronicles

Bruce Schoenfeld / New York Times:

The Mystery of the Vanishing Screwball — Hector Santiago of the Los Angeles Angels was sitting at a restaurant table in Glendale, Ariz., in March, holding an orange in his left hand. He formed a circle with his thumb and forefinger, then spread his remaining fingers around the fruit with half an inch between each one.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Associated Press:

Hernandez Cruises, Phillies Beat Brewers 4-1 — MILWAUKEE — Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley homered to support Roberto Hernandez's solid start, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1 on Wednesday night for their third straight win over the NL Central leaders.

Discussion: Canadian Press, Phillies Nation and The Good Phight

Discussion: Bless You Boys and CBSSports.com