Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
5 MLB stats we believe in: Early 2017 numbers that can be sustained — The one-quarter mark of the season, by now reached by a majority of clubs, traditionally serves as the first true barometer of team and individual performance. — No longer is the “small sample” caveat applied …
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
The NL East is so bad, it's hard to tell if the Nationals are any good — The Atlanta Braves have already endured two six-game losing streaks this season, plus a separate five-gamer. They haven't spent a single day above .500 and haven't been within five games of first place since the third week of April.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman | Nationals begin exploring market for a closer
Heyman | Nationals begin exploring market for a closer
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Washington Post, CBSSports.com, Nationals Pastime and Royals Review
Jason Munz / Hattiesburg American:
Anthony Alford promoted to MLB by Blue Jays — Former Petal star Anthony Alford was called up to the big leagues by the Toronto Blue Jays Friday. — The 22-year-old outfielder was hitting .325 with three home runs and 11 runs batted in 33 games with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Toronto's AA affiliate.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Sportsnet.ca
RELATED:
Andrew Schmid / Fox Sports:
Toronto Blue Jays Suspend Kevin Pillar for Two Games — The Toronto Blue Jays have suspended Kevin Pillar for two games after the center fielder used a homophobic slur. — According to Shi Davidi of Sporstnet.ca, the Toronto Blue Jays have suspended Kevin Pillar for two games.
Discussion:
CBC News, USA Today and Associated Press
Richard W. Rodriguez / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Tensions high, suspension levied in Braves-Blue Jays series
Tensions high, suspension levied in Braves-Blue Jays series
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Luis Robert watch kicks into high gear as Cuban outfielder eligible to sign Saturday — Luis Robert bats during a 2016 game in Pomona, New York. — Chicago Tribune — White Sox and Cardinals fans will be on high alert this weekend as Cuban outfielder Luis Robert becomes eligible to sign with a major-league organization.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, South Side Sox and Baseball America
RELATED:
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Road has been a (7-home run) blast for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu
Road has been a (7-home run) blast for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers reaction wonders if they'll ever lose again in Arlington
Jon Machota / Dallas Morning News:
Critical winning streak makes baseball fun again for the Rangers
Critical winning streak makes baseball fun again for the Rangers
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Associated Press:
Turner injures right hamstring, Dodgers beat Marlins 7-2 — Justin Turner left in the seventh inning after injuring his right hamstring, curbing the celebration for the Los Angeles Dodgers after a 7-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night. — Turner was hurt running from second base to home in the seventh inning.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Fish Stripes and True Blue LA
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Column Alex Wood has adapted well to an ever-changing Dodgers pitching staff
Column Alex Wood has adapted well to an ever-changing Dodgers pitching staff
Discussion:
True Blue LA
ESPN:
Braves' Julio Teheran hits Jose Bautista in thigh day after bat flip — Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran hit Toronto's Jose Bautista in the left thigh with his second pitch of the at-bat in the top of the first inning Thursday night at Atlanta. — The Braves weren't pleased …
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USA Today:
Orioles' Adam Jones on racist slurs at Fenway: 'It's point-blank disgusting' — Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones sent a message to those who have doubted that he was the target of racial slurs earlier this month at Fenway Park. — “This is not a sports debate show,” Jones wrote in The Players' Tribune on Friday.
Discussion:
The Players' Tribune and SI.com
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
BAR Mailbag: Who's to blame for the pitching? — 114 Shares — Amir Garrett lasted just four innings and the Reds were swept in Chicago, losing 9-5 to the Cubs on Thursday. The Enquirer/C. Trent Rosecrans … Happy Friday. Let's get to your Reds questions. … I don't think it's a coaching staff issue.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees baffled by Danny Duffy, fall to Royals in series finale — A-Rod may have been in the broadcast booth, but the Yankees could've used him in the batter's box on Thursday. Maybe he could've hit Danny Duffy. No one else seemed to be able to. Duffy was dominant …
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Notes: Injuries, Granderson, Rosario — ESPN's Jerry Crasnick takes a deep look at the Mets' medical procedures and protocols in the wake of their injury woes. Crasnick notes on Twitter that he spent two weeks and conducted nearly 20 interviews for the piece, and the thoroughness …
Discussion:
Newsday, New York Post and ESPN
Tampa Bay Times:
Monken: DeSean Jackson took the money and better be great — If you think the Bucs will pressure DeSean Jackson to live up to his contract, well, you're right on the money. — At least that's the message from offensive coordinator/receivers coach Todd Monken to the 30-year-old Jackson …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, FanRag Sports and Fox Sports
ESPN:
The bullpen revolution has not been televised — There comes a point each spring when the buds of a bullpen revolution seem to be everywhere. One team's closer competition between two great relievers inspires a managerial pledge to “play matchups” and get both pitchers saves.
Ray Glier / VICE Sports:
The New Tommy John Surgery That Could Change Baseball — Dr. Jeff Dugas has scrubbed in for about 2,000 surgeries on the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow. He reconstructs the injured ligament with a tendon grafted from the patient's forearm or leg. All sorts of athletes come …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Weather permitting, Eddie Butler set to make his 2nd Cubs start — Chicago Tribune — Assuming weather allows, the Cubs will begin their three-game series against the National League Central-leading Brewers on Friday at Wrigley Field. — The Cubs will face Paolo Espino, who is scheduled to make his major-league debut.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Only thing Mets and Yankees have in common is top division rivals are weaker than expected — Cruising through May in separate directions, the Yankees and Mets don't have a whole lot in common right now, other than the fact both their respective Eastern divisions are weaker than expected …
Max Gelman / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Series preview: Giants at Cardinals — Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com — Scouting report • The Cardinals welcome in the San Francisco Giants this weekend for a three-game series. Coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox, the Cardinals have fallen …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Bleed Cubbie Blue