Two years after scandal, A-Rod has unlikely admirer: Rob Manfred  —  NEW YORK - This time, he didn't grimace.  There were no terse statements.  —  Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred didn't even have the slightest bit of apprehension talking about one of the game's most ignominious figures in recent years.

MLB Mock Draft 2015: Version 3.0  —  College conference tournaments dominate much of the draft world this week, with scouts descending on the Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, Big Ten and other conferences for long looks at some of the nation's top college players.

Inside Baseball: Blue Jays tried for Hamels, stick with Gibbons; plus notes  —  Both the Blues Jays front office personnel and players are wholly unsatisfied with their up-and-down start, and while there's little question they all expected much better play and rumors have been circulating …

Diamondbacks complete 4-game sweep of Marlins  —  MIAMI (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks scored the run that put them ahead to stay Thursday thanks to a walk, a bobbled bunt and two infield singles.  —  “It wasn't very conventional,” manager Chip Hale said.

Hendricks' 5-Hitter, Bryant's 2-Run Homer Carry Cubs, 3-0  —  SAN DIEGO — Kyle Hendricks pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game and shutout, and Kris Bryant hit a two-run home run as the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-0 on Thursday night to take two of three games.

Rangers' Rodriguez Keeps Red Sox Bats Quiet in 3-1 Win  —  BOSTON — Mitch Moreland hit a solo homer and drove in two runs, Wandy Rodriguez pitched 6 2-3 solid innings and the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox and their listless offense 3-1 on Thursday night.  —  Moreland added two singles …

Smith Regrets Oversight With Rosin, Sunscreen on Arm  —  ATLANTA — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Will Smith wanted to grip the ball better, so he followed a common practice of using rosin and sunscreen on his pitching hand.  —  Only problem is it's against the rules.  —  “It was chilly and kind of windy,” Smith said.

WHAT MLB CAN LEARN FROM JAPAN  —  TOKYO — If you're a baseball fan with an Internet connection, you've undoubtedly read scary stories about how the sport's popularity in the U.S. is circling the drain.  And while reports of Major League Baseball's imminent demise are greatly exaggerated …

Dickey goes the distance as Jays trounce Angels  —  It was kind of indicative of how things have transpired for the woebegone Toronto Blue Jays and R.A. Dickey, their confounding knuckleball pitcher.  —  Desperate for a win, it would figure that the Blue Jays had caught a bit of a break …

Dodgers place infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena on suspended list  —  Infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena has been suspended by the Dodgers  —  SAN FRANCISCO - While investing heavily in one Cuban infielder and welcoming him to the Dodgers this week, another Cuban infielder has all but disappeared from the organization.

White Sox lose third in row  —  John Danks got roughed up for four runs in the first inning, and the White Sox' scuffling bats were no match for Danny Salazar Thursday in a 5-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.  The loss was the Sox' third in a row.  —  A paid U.S. Cellular Field crowd of 18,321 …

DeGrom dominates as Mets earn series split with Cardinals  —  Jacob deGrom was close to untouchable over eight scoreless innings and the Mets (24-18) got a pair of homers from Lucas Duda as they beat the Cardinals (27-14) by the score of 5-0 on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.

Colome and DeJesus Key Rays' 3-0 Win Over A's  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Colome and four relievers combined on a four-hitter, David DeJesus drove in two runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 3-0 on Thursday night to take sole possession of first place in the AL East.

Hershey's sends Nats 108 more bottles of chocolate sauce to mark wins  —  1h - MLB MAX SCHERZER WASHINGTON NATIONALS + more  —  ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell discusses Hershey's shipment of chocolate syrup to the Nationals.