Mets call up prospect Michael Conforto after placing Michael Cuddyer on DL  —  2h - MLB MICHAEL CUDDYER KYLE SCHWARBER NEW YORK METS + more  —  Adam Rubin discusses the value Mets prospect Michael Conforto will bring to the team during Michael Cuddyer's stint on the DL.

MLB Players' Association upset by Colin Cowherd's comments on Dominicans  —  Dominican major leaguers and the players union are demanding an apology or other action from outgoing ESPN host Colin Cowherd, who may have insulted a whole country with his on-air comments Thursday.

Cardinals Acquire Steve Cishek  —  The Cardinals have officially struck a deal with the Marlins to add righty Steve Cishek, as Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald was first to report (Twitter links).  Heading back to Miami in the deal is Double-A righty Kyle Barraclough.

Inside Baseball: Big trade storylines involve Padres, Tigers, Hamels  —  After an almost unprecedented lull in trading action, two trades of some significance finally were completed Thursday.  The Astros became the first to land a viable starting pitcher when they brought Scott Kazmir back home …

Mets To Acquire Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson  —  The Mets have reportedly acquired both Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the division-rival Braves.  Two minor league righties — John Gant and Rob Whalen — are set to move to Atlanta in return.  New York will also absorb about $2.7MM in salary …

Angels Acquire Conor Gillaspie, Designate Adam Wilk  —  12:23pm: Los Angeles has designated pitcher Adam Wilk for assignment to clear 40-man space, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports on Twitter.  —  The 27-year-old has made just one appearance at the big league level this year and nine in his career.

Francoeur's 10th-Inning HR Gives Phillies 5-3 Win Over Cubs  —  CHICAGO — Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies, who had rallied in the ninth, beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Friday.  —  Francoeur drove his game-winner deep …

State patrol: Don't stop for ducks  —  Cars Swerve for Ducks Crossing I-35 KARE  —  MOUNDS VIEW, Minn. - The Minnesota State Patrol asks that motorists do not stop for ducks, or any animal, regardless of how the situation may end.  This after a video, showing a family of ducks narrowly escaping injury, went viral.

Sources: Bills likely to part ways with Kromer  —  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - The Buffalo Bills found themselves in the news following the arrest of offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, and it appears as though that tie will be severed.  —  According to sources, the Bills are likely to part ways …

Junior Seau's Family Will Not Be Allowed to Speak at His Hall of Fame Induction  —  SAN DIEGO — Junior Seau's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was always going to be awkward, a chance to celebrate a marquee player known for his bone-crushing career while not dwelling on his controversial death tied to it.

Dodgers' Kershaw Breezes Through Meek-Hitting Mets  —  NEW YORK — Clayton Kershaw pitched a three-hitter, retiring the first 18 batters in his second shutout of the season, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 3-0 on Thursday night.  —  Kershaw (8-6) now has thrown 29 consecutive …