Kevan Smith switches catching gears from Triple-A Charlotte to Chicago  —  White Sox catcher Kevan Smith reacts after his promotion from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, April 13, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kevan Smith certainly was disappointed …

Mets' Wheeler gets first win since 2014  —  PHILADELPHIA -Zack Wheeler didn't panic when the five-run lead he exited Wednesday's game with dwindled to one run on the first pitch after his departure.  —  A 31-month wait between wins had been long enough, but he could deal with a few more innings of tension.

Blue Jays' Donaldson leaves game vs. Orioles with apparent injury  —  TORONTO — Josh Donaldson's nagging right calf injury appeared to return Thursday night, as the Toronto Blue Jays third baseman exited a game versus the Baltimore Orioles after hitting a double in the sixth inning.

The most loathed man in MLB?  There's another side to Jeffrey Loria  —  NEW YORK — After Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident in late September, Miami Marlins players, coaches and manager Don Mattingly spent days in an almost catatonic state of grief.

Braun, Thames homer, Brews stop Reds' 4-game win string 5-1  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Ryan Braun and Eric Thames homered, Jimmy Nelson turned in his second straight strong start and the Milwaukee Brewers snapped Cincinnati's four-game winning streak, knocking off the Reds 5-1 Thursday night.

Rays' Longoria after loss to Yankees: 'Overall, it's just not good' (w/ video)  —  NEW YORK — There's a lot we could say about how inexplicably ugly — and pick a good synonym for not smart — the Rays played Wednesday in turning a promising three-run lead into a frustrating and painful 8-4 loss to the Yankees.

Orioles Designate Oliver Drake For Assignment  —  The Orioles have designated right-hander Oliver Drake for assignment, the team announced on Thursday.  The move clears a spot on the roster for 25-year-old right-hander Stefan Crichton, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Norfolk.

Anderson's arm, Almora's glove lead Cubs over Dodgers 4-0  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Brett Anderson beat his former team with five solid innings, center fielder Albert Almora Jr. made two outstanding catches against the ivy and the Chicago Cubs blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 Thursday.

Ramirez gets 1st RBIs of season, Red Sox top Pirates 4-3  —  BOSTON (AP) — Hanley Ramirez looked plenty healthy in a big spot for the Boston Red Sox.  —  After a recent absence because of the flu, Ramirez doubled during a three-run rally in the eighth inning Thursday that sent the Red Sox over the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3.

James Kaprielian To Undergo Tommy John Surgery  —  Prized Yankees prospect James Kaprielian is slated to undergo Tommy John surgery next week, per a club announcement.  While the news is obviously a disappointment, it was perhaps the anticipated outcome at this stage.

Cubs celebrate ring ceremony but Brandon McCarthy brings back reality  —  Chicago Tribune  —  A few hours before receiving his World Series ring, Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber described the overlap in celebrating their signature 2016 achievement and their challenge of repeating in proper perspective.

Cincinnati Reds keeping eye on Cuban phenom Luis Robert  —  PITTSBURGH - The Cincinnati Reds have already invested heavily in Cuban amateurs in the last year, with both right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez and shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez signing for lucrative bonuses last summer.

Fox says Spectrum cable subscribers might not see next Royals game on FSKC  —  A line has been drawn in the sand in the dispute between Fox and Charter, the company that owns the cable provider now known as Spectrum in Kansas City.  —  On Sunday, Fox ran a commercial during the Royals-Astros game …