Top News:
Mike Digiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' Garrett Richards suffers knee injury in win over Red Sox — The Angels' pennant hopes were dealt a serious blow Wednesday night when Garrett Richards, their best pitcher this season, suffered a patellar injury to his left knee during an 8-3 win over the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Hamilton Drives in 3 Runs, Angels Beat Red Sox 8-3 — BOSTON — Josh Hamilton broke out of a slump with two hits and three RBIs, Howie Kendrick drove in two runs, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 8-3 to increase their AL West lead on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Over the Monster, Boston Globe and TSN.ca
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Garrett Richards injury ‘significant’
Garrett Richards injury ‘significant’
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and Associated Press
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Angels enjoying returns on trade for Freese, Salas
Angels enjoying returns on trade for Freese, Salas
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Lucas Duda's 3-run HR highlights Mets' offensive revival in win over A's … OAKLAND, Calif. - With their postseason chances all but extinguished, the only meaningful baseball ahead for the Mets will come as spoilers against teams with brighter days ahead. — The Mets thrived in that role Wednesday …
Discussion:
Metsblog and New Jersey Online
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Lucas Duda blasts Athletics, then becomes talk of town as Mets win 8-5 — Duda, who crushed a three-run HR, is excited for the final 34 games of the season. 'We're not out of it yet,' Duda said. 'Everybody in the room feels like we have a chance, so we're going to go with that.'
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs defend Wrigley Field's grounds crew — The Cubs are backing their grounds crew after a report they were inadequately staffed to handle the rain delay that led to Tuesday's suspended game against the Giants. — Cubs spokesman Julian Green said the sudden downpour was a “freak occurrence” …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sources: Three teams in mix to sign Cuban free agent Rusney Castillo — The Rusney Castillo negotiations continue to progress rapidly, and the Red Sox are one of the three clubs most actively involved for the Cuban free-agent outfielder, according to major-league sources.
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Bids escalating for Cuban defector Castillo
Bids escalating for Cuban defector Castillo
Discussion:
Philly.com, Full Count, NESN.com and ESPN
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Tigers, Giants and others may view Castillo as a pennant-race plus
Tigers, Giants and others may view Castillo as a pennant-race plus
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and MLB Daily Dish
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Neal Cotts Staying With Rangers — Rangers left-hander Neal Cotts will not be traded, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). Cotts was recently claimed by an unknown club, giving the Rangers and this mystery team a 48.5-hour window to work out a trade.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Could Still Reach Deal With Brady Aiken — 11:46am: “There's nothing to report, nothing going on there,” Astros owner Jim Crane tells Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link) in regards to a possible Aiken deal. — 11:25am: The Astros could still end up signing …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Ultimate Astros
David Adler / MLB.com:
Verlander expects to start Saturday vs. Twins — Right-hander will work one half of the scheduled twin bill barring setbacks — ST. PETERSBURG — Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander expects to avoid going on the disabled list and start on Saturday against the Twins.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Bryant regains Minor League homer lead with No. 41 — Cubs' No. 1 prospect Kris Bryant retook sole possession of first place in the Minor League home run race Wednesday with a two-run home run in the third inning. — Bryant's two-run blast, his first since last Thursday and 41st of 2014 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Marc Narducci / Philly.com:
Don't count Burnett out for 2015 just yet — A.J. Burnett's frustration was apparent and nobody should seem surprised. The story remains the same for Burnett, who has dug himself into one big hole after another by pitching behind in counts. — Burnett's postgame comments got big play …
Cody Ulm / MLB.com:
Perez scratched with sore right knee, to have MRI — DENVER — Royals catcher Salvador Perez will go for an MRI on his sore right knee Thursday after he was a late scratch for Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies. — According to manager Ned Yost, Perez “felt great” …
Discussion:
Royals Review