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:
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Richards carted off field after serious knee injury — Angels may lose top pitcher for rest of season as club awaits further evaluation — BOSTON — Jered Weaver could hear Garrett Richards' scream from the dugout. — The Angels' young starting pitcher was lying on the ground near …
Discussion:
Mark My Word
Associated Press:
Hamilton Drives in 3 Runs, Angels Beat Red Sox 8-3
Hamilton Drives in 3 Runs, Angels Beat Red Sox 8-3
Discussion:
Over the Monster, CBSSports.com, 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:
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
Associated Press:
Rays Get Just 1 Hit Off Price, Beat Tigers 1-0 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — David Price allowed only a first-inning RBI triple to Brandon Guyer in his first start against his former team, and Alex Cobb and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 1-0 Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Judge rules in favor of former Tigers P Reed — DETROIT — A judge on Thursday dismissed rape charges against former Detroit Tigers pitcher Evan Reed, saying the testimony of the woman who accused him wasn't credible and prosecutors failed to show that force or coercion took place.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Phillies have decisions to make heading into '15 — Offensive upgrades, addressing positional logjams at forefront for GM Amaro — PHILADELPHIA — Everybody wants to know if the Phillies have a plan for the future. They say that they do. — But general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is keeping quiet about it.
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
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
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 …