ICYMI: News on Matz, 6-man rotation, Wright, Murphy and Trades  —  Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins talked with reporters today for roughly 20 minutes, which you can listen to here...  In short, Triple-A LHP prospect Steven Matz will start for the Mets on Sunday, again creating a six-man rotation.

OPENLY GAY PITCHER DELIVERS HISTORIC GEM  —  Thursday night, I wrote a blog post about Sean Conroy, scheduled for his first professional start for the Pacific Association's Sonoma Stompers.  Well, things could hardly have turned out better for everyone involved...

Tigers are frustrating, but we can't look away  —  By now, it's easy to see the Tigers are not the team that started 11-2.  But they also aren't the team that lost eight straight this month.  —  They are worse.  —  If you care about them anyway — because .500 baseball gets you nothing but frustration.

Ryne Sandberg Resigns As Phillies Manager  —  Ryne Sandberg has resigned his role as the manager of the Phillies, he announced today.  The Hall-of-Fame second baseman was hired late in the 2013 season after Charlie Manuel lost his job.  He'll be replaced on an interim basis by Pete Mackanin.

Syndergaard sharp as Mets beat Reds, 2-1  —  Despite only recording two hits, Noah Syndergaard threw eight solid innings as the New York Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1, Friday at Citi Field.  —  Syndergaard (3-4) gave up five hits and one run in a career-high eight innings, striking out five batters on 89 pitches.

Astros Recall Jon Singleton, Place Chad Qualls On DL  —  The Astros announced today that setup man Chad Qualls has been placed on the 15-day DL (retroactive to June 25) with a pinched nerve in his neck.  To fill his spot on the roster, Houston recalled first baseman Jon Singleton.

Prince Fielder hits 300th career homer in first inning vs. Toronto  —  16m - MLB PRINCE FIELDER TEXAS RANGERS + more

Holliday better, but not yet ready  —  MIAMI  • Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday won't be ready to come off the disabled list when the team returns to Busch Stadium on Friday to begin a home stand, but he has been able to increase his activities while the team has been away.

Jon Lester thinks Jonathan Papelbon would be a good fit with Cubs  —  Jon Lester has no doubts Jonathan Papelbon and his “Cinco Ocho” alter ego would be able to fit into an anti-rules clubhouse that already has strobe lights and a fog machine for postgame dance parties.

Astros way ahead of schedule?  —  You know what's really wild about what the Astros are doing?  —  This isn't going at all according to the script.  —  Oh, maybe not the Astros' script.  We don't have a copy of that one.  —  But remember when the Astros were losing TONS of games?

Royals return to Oakland for rematch with April antagonists  —  Kansas City Royals fans yelled at Oakland's Brett Lawrie as he left the first during a game on April 17.  JOHN SLEEZER jsleezer@kcstar.com  —  Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera was escorted from the field by umpire Marvin Hudson …

Toronto Blue Jays prospect Matt Boyd learns from ‘rude awakening,’ nears majors thanks to dad's advice  —  For the first time in his baseball life, Matt Boyd ignored the advice of his father.  Kurt Boyd had always taught him to take charge on the mound and attack batters with his fastball.