Top News:
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays add to villainous reputation in loss to Braves — ATLANTA — Whatever happened when Kevin Pillar struck out in the top of the seventh inning of the latest unsightly Blue Jays loss to the Atlanta Braves, he was quick to apologize. — And if teammate Jose Bautista offended anybody …
RELATED:
Kevin Pillar / ESPN:
Blue Jays suspend Kevin Pillar 2 games for anti-gay slur — The Toronto Blue Jays have suspended outfielder Kevin Pillar two games for using an anti-gay slur during Wednesday night's game. — Toronto general manager Ross Atkins told reporters that the suspension was arrived at in consultation …
Richard W. Rodriguez / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Tensions high, suspension levied in Braves-Blue Jays series
New York Daily News:
Blue Jays suspend outfielder Kevin Pillar 2 games for yelling homophobic slur; MLB investigating
ESPN:
Kevin Pillar under inquiry for shouting at Braves pitcher
Kevin Pillar under inquiry for shouting at Braves pitcher
Discussion:
Globe and Mail, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com and Fox Sports
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman | Freddie Freeman expected to miss significant time
Heyman | Freddie Freeman expected to miss significant time
Discussion:
Call to the Pen, Minor League Ball, Talking Chop, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and FanSided
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB investigating incident involving Kevin Pillar's homophobic slur
MLB investigating incident involving Kevin Pillar's homophobic slur
Discussion:
SI.com, Toronto Star, The Big Lead, NBCSports.com, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and NESN.com
Chicago Tribune:
Cubs fan dies after falling over railing at Wrigley: ‘He was a great guy, everyone loved him’ — Exterior of Wrigley Field in Chicago in 2016. A Wheaton man died May 17, 2017, after falling over a railing at the ballpark on May 16, 2017. — A Wheaton man died a day after falling …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, FanRag Sports and Fox Sports
RELATED:
Cincinnati.com:
Reds' Bryan Price gets clarification on controversial call
Reds' Bryan Price gets clarification on controversial call
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
UPI:
Cincinnati Reds recall promising LHP Amir Garrett to start series finale vs. Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds recall promising LHP Amir Garrett to start series finale vs. Chicago Cubs
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist leads off as Cubs go for sweep of Reds
Ben Zobrist leads off as Cubs go for sweep of Reds
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Scott Gleeson / USA Today:
Cubs fan dies after falling over railing at Wrigley Field
Cubs fan dies after falling over railing at Wrigley Field
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and NESN.com
Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' opponents preview: Rangers ride into Comerica Park on nine-game winning streak — Series: Texas at Tigers for three games, Friday-Sunday night. — TV/radio: Friday — 7:10 on Fox Sports Detroit, Saturday — 7:15 on Fox (Channel 2 in Detroit), Sunday — 8:05 on ESPN.
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Blair Kerkhoff / Kansas City Star:
Danny Duffy strikes out 10 Yankees in dealing Royals a 5-1 victory — Danny Duffy reported for duty in the second inning in a flash. When things are going this well, you can't wait to toe the rubber. — After two nights of watching Yankees circle the bases, the Royals needed a line …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels To Sign Doug Fister — The Angels are in agreement with free-agent right-hander Doug Fister on a Major League contract, reports SB Nation's Chris Cotillo (via Twitter). Fister is a client of PSI Sports Management. — As of last week, the 33-year-old Fister was said to be close to signing …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, FanRag Sports and MLB Daily Dish
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Evan Grossman / New York Daily News:
After pregame controversy, A-Rod has night of ups and downs in color commentary debut — He's not going to quit his day job. — Neither would you if you made $21 million to not play baseball. — But after his debut in the booth Thursday night as a color analyst on FS1 …
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers reaction wonders if they'll ever lose again in Arlington — ARLINGTON — Is this becoming old hat? Do people even use the expression “old hat” anymore? The Rangers' 8-4 win over the Phillies Thursday afternoon, which capped a three-game sweep, an 8-0 homestand …
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Road has been a (7-home run) blast for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu — Photos of White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu. — Chicago Tribune — Jose Abreu's two-run homer off Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker on Wednesday night in Anaheim was his seventh on the road this year.
Associated Press:
Rob Manfred acknowledges pace of game in MLB has gone ‘backwards’ — NEW YORK — Acknowledging that games have gotten even slower this season, commissioner Rob Manfred says MLB with will meet with players in an attempt to find a solution. — The average time of a nine-inning game is a record 3 hours …
Max Gelman / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Despite loss, Tuivailala growing into role — Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com — Sam Tuivailala's role with the Cardinals seemingly has always been in flux. — Originally drafted out of high school as a shortstop in 2010, Tuivailala transitioned to the mound two years later …
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Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers finish undefeated homestand with ninth straight win — ARLINGTON — The Rangers won their ninth consecutive game Thursday afternoon, sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies with a 8-4 win at Globe Life Park. The Rangers went 8-0 on their homestand. They begin a nine-game road trip Friday in Detroit.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Mets' Steven Matz, Seth Lugo pitch to Travis d'Arnaud in minors — NEW YORK — Help may be on the way for the hobbled New York Mets. — Steven Matz and Seth Lugo made their first minor league rehab appearances Thursday night, pitching to Travis d'Arnaud in a game with Class A St. Lucie.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny named to MLB's reorganized competition committee — ST. LOUIS • Within his first few years as manager of the Cardinals, Mike Matheny found himself standing before the commissioner and other baseball officials making a case for a rule change that he, as a catcher, would have been adamantly against.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and True Blue LA
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Acquire Michael Martinez, Place Brad Miller On Disabled List — The Rays have acquired infielder/outfielder Michael Martinez from the Indians in exchange for cash or a player to be named later and placed fellow infielder Brad Miller on the 10-day disabled list due to a left abdominal strain.
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Let's Go Tribe