Top News:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Travis d'Arnaud has turned himself into a keeper — now how do NY Mets save him from concussions? — Travis d'Arnaud has willed himself into becoming a keeper. He stared down deep struggle this year, and emerged as the talent he was supposed to be. For passing the emotional test …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and New Jersey Online
RELATED:
Metsblog:
Backman named PCL Manager of the Year — Mets Triple-A manager Wally Backman has been named the 2014 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year, the league office announced Friday. — Backman, 54, has guided the Las Vegas 51s (80-61) to their second-straight Pacific Southern Division title, spending the entire season in first place.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Travis d'Arnaud to left field?
Tyler Maun / MiLB News:
Mariners' Montero involved in altercation — Seattle farmhand restrained during confrontation with cross-checker — Seattle's Jesus Montero was involved in an altercation during short-season Everett's game at Boise on Thursday. The first baseman exchanged words with a Mariners cross-checker …
RELATED:
Geoff Baker / The Seattle Times:
Jesus Montero altercation: M's scout says it's wrongly portrayed — What really happened in the Thursday incident between Jesus Montero and Mariners scout Butch Baccala at a minor-league game in Boise? — A Mariners scout involved in a confrontation Thursday night with minor-leaguer Jesus Montero …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
K R — The Astros need an intervention. Or maybe something stronger. — General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter are at odds, according to multiple major-league sources. — Porter expressed his frustration with Luhnow to owner Jim Crane in a conversation earlier this month, sources said.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and The Crawfish Boxes
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — Slugger Nelson Cruz and the Orioles got together on a last-minute, one-year deal last spring, but the partnership has worked out so well that people close to the situation figure it could turn into a long-lasting relationship. — While there's no definitive immediate word …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and Camden Chat
RELATED:
Associated Press:
O's stretch AL East lead with comeback win
O's stretch AL East lead with comeback win
Discussion:
MLB.com, DRaysBay, Camden Chat, ESPN and Canadian Press
Lynn Worthy / Press & Sun-Bulletin:
Dilson Herrera promoted from B-Mets to the majors — Energetic hot-hitting second baseman Dilson Herrera remained behind in Binghamton on Thursday night as the Binghamton Mets left for their final regular-season road trip. That's because Herrera will join the New York Mets on Friday.
Discussion:
Metsblog, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN and Bucs Dugout
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Venters has torn UCL, faces third Tommy John surgery — NEW YORK — After spending the past few months battling the frustration that came courtesy of his attempt to return from a second Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, Jonny Venters received some jarring news on Thursday …
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Venters will need 3rd TJ surgery if he hopes to pitch again
Venters will need 3rd TJ surgery if he hopes to pitch again
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Now who is the team to beat? — Matthew Cerrone: In 2006, the Phillies finished in second place, but 12 games back of the NL East Champion Mets. Nevertheless, a few months later, Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins proclaimed the Phillies “the team to beat in the National League East.”
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Masterson considers abandoning windup — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — SPRINGFIELD, Mo. • When Justin Masterson went to the bullpen at Pittsburgh's PNC Park on Wednesday to ready for his next start, he and the Cardinals coaches believed a solution …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
Neal J. Leitereg / Los Angeles Times:
Baseball legend Randy Johnson to list Arizona mansion at $25 million — He played for six different teams over a span of 22 Major League seasons, but Randy Johnson's greatest achievements came in the Arizona desert, where he earned four consecutive Cy Young Awards and won a championship in eight seasons with the Diamondbacks.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and HardballTalk
TSN.ca:
Blue Jays hope Buehrle can find way to solve Yankees — The Sports Network — (SportsNetwork.com) - Toronto left-hander Mark Buehrle eyes just his second win in 15 starts on Friday when the Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game set with the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Pinstripe Alley
David Just / Chicago Sun Times:
Terry Francona: Jose Abreu seems to be a pitch ahead; Sox edged 3-2 — As the 2014 season winds down, White Sox slugger Jose Abreu continues to surprise and impress. — Abreu's go-ahead single in the seventh inning Wednesday night caught Indians manager Terry Francona a little off-guard.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Bless You Boys and Let's Go Tribe