Top News:
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Lackey to pitch through rest of contract — ST. LOUIS — Though he'll be doing so at the Major League minimum, John Lackey is “absolutely” going to honor the remainder of his contract and pitch for the Cardinals in 2015. — The guaranteed portion of the five-year, $82.5 million deal …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Cespedes surprised to learn dealt to Red Sox — BOSTON — Yoenis Cespedes said he was caught by surprise to hear the news he had been traded to the Boston Red Sox. — The power-hitting outfielder was sleeping at the time of the trade, and woke up to learn the club with the best record in baseball …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Pinstripe Alley and MLB
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Pain of losing Lester cuts deep — Former Red Sox ace deserved better than what he got from his pragmatic bosses — BOSTON — Yoenis Cespedes is both showman and shaman, bringing muscle and magic to a team sorely lacking in both. He will hit home runs that remind you of Manny …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, True Blue LA, NESN.com, Boston Sports Media Watch, The Boston Globe and ESPN.com
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mozeliak moves to fix two problems — Sensitive to any suggestion that he exerts undue influence over his third-year manager, John Mozeliak is fond of saying, “I don't do lineups.” — Make no mistake: Mo helped write two months' worth of cards Thursday morning.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Metsblog:
Game Recap: Giants 5 - Mets 1 — Result: The Mets lost to the Giants, 5-1, Friday night in the opener of a four-game series. — Need to Know: Jon Niese made a throwing error in the second inning, leading the way for the Giants to score the game's first two runs.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Vogelsong stifles Mets in Gaints' 5-1 win — NEW YORK — Ryan Vogelsong pitched a two-hitter for his second career complete game, Hunter Pence emerged from a deep funk with a triple and three RBIs and the San Francisco Giants beat the New York Mets 5-1 on Friday night for their second straight win after a six-game skid.
Discussion:
Canadian Press and Faith and Fear in Flushing
Canadian Press:
Chen wins fifth straight as Orioles top Mariners — BALTIMORE — Wei-Yin Chen won his fifth consecutive start and had a season-high eight strikeouts to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. — Baltimore has won nine of its past 11 games and remained atop the AL League East.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and TSN.ca
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Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Cain needs surgery, likely done for the season — NEW YORK — Yielding to a unanimous decision from a panel of medical experts, Giants right-hander Matt Cain almost surely will undergo surgery to have bone chips and spurs removed from his throwing elbow. — Given the minimum recovery …
Discussion:
CSN Bay Area and McCovey Chronicles
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
David Price on Rays trade: ‘Absolute sadness’ (w/video) — ST. PETERSBURG — The “absolute sadness” ace pitcher David Price said he felt after being traded by the Rays to the Detroit Tigers in a three-way deal Thursday was shared by many fans who believe the team's chances to reach the playoffs this season went with him.
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Daily Dish and DRaysBay
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Acquire David Price In 3-Team Deal With Rays, Mariners
Tigers Acquire David Price In 3-Team Deal With Rays, Mariners
Discussion:
MLive.com, Fox Sports and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
TSN.ca:
Blue Jays, Happ look to continue winning ways versus Astros — The Sports Network — The Toronto Blue Jays go after a seventh straight win on Friday when they continue a four-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. — Getting the call for the Jays on Friday will be lefty J.A. Happ, who is 8-5 with a 4.58 ERA.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Canadian Press
Maria Torres / MLB.com:
Lucas, Jennings down to make room for new Marlins — MIAMI — The Marlins didn't move anyone on their 25-man roster in order to make Thursday's six-player trade with the Astros, so they had to make up for it optioning infielder Ed Lucas and left-handed reliever Dan Jennings to Triple-A New Orleans.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
RELATED:
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Sources: LHP Henry Owens promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket — Friday has quickly turned into a milestone day for two of the Red Sox' top pitching prospects. — With Anthony Ranaudo set to make his major league debut against the Yankees, the Sox are promoting left-hander Henry Owens to Triple-A Pawtucket …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and NESN.com
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Amaro says Phils didn't overvalue players at Deadline — GM: Other teams weren't aggressive enough in pursuit of club's players — WASHINGTON — Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. kept a stiff upper lip as he spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and The Good Phight