Dodgers cruise to 7-2 win over Marlins but lose Justin Turner to hamstring injury  —  A relatively smooth ride through an eventual 7-2 victory over the Miami Marlins took a troubling turn for the Dodgers on Thursday night when their best hitter, Justin Turner, left the game in the seventh inning because of a hamstring injury.

Blue Jays call up Anthony Alford, to make debut tonight  —  Top prospect will start in left field, bat 8th vs. Baltimore  —  Anthony Alford, the Blue Jays No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com, was promoted to the Major League team Friday.  —  He will be plugged into the lineup immediately …

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 …

Optimistic Tigers All-Star Miguel Cabrera (oblique) thinks he could return on Saturday  —  Miguel Cabrera doesn't want to go on the disabled list and thinks he could be in the lineup as soon as Saturday.  —  “I think maybe tomorrow or Sunday, I can be in the lineup again,” Cabrera said before Friday's game against the Texas Rangers.

Cubs to activate Jason Heyward from disabled list Saturday  —  Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward on his return to the team after a DL-stint.  (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  While playing for the Class A Rome (Ga.) Braves in 2008, Jason Heyward frequently ate at Applebee's.

Mets GM hoping increased communication helps remedy injury situation  —  NEW YORK — With a bundle of key players on the disabled list, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Friday the team is making some changes to the way it handles injuries.  —  Alderson is now meeting daily with the training staff …

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.

Rockies Release Stephen Cardullo  —  The Rockies have released outfielder/first baseman Stephen Cardullo, as Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports (Twitter links).  But the sides are already in discussions on a new minor-league deal to bring Cardullo back into the fold.

Ross moving closer to joining Rangers' rotation  —  DETROIT  —  Right-hander Tyson Ross could be just one more rehab start away from joining the Texas Rangers' rotation after tossing four innings Thursday in a start at extending spring training.  —  Ross is expected to start Tuesday …

MLB: Braves hoping to quickly promote James Loney  —  Newly signed Atlanta Braves first baseman James Loney might have a short stay with triple-A Gwinnett.  —  The Braves signed the 33-year-old Loney to a minor league deal on Thursday after learning their top player, Freddie Freeman …

Pirates Claim Jhan Marinez  —  The Pirates have claimed righty Jhan Marinez off waivers from the Brewers, per a club announcement (h/t MLB.com's Adam Berry, on Twitter).  He had been designated for assignment earlier in the week.  —  Marinez, an out-of-options reliever, has scuffled early in 2017 …

Gallo reaching, scoring for Rangers, just not collecting hits  —  DETROIT  —  Joey Gallo had a direct hand in one of the Texas Rangers' eight wins on their just-completed undefeated homestand, as he bounced a three-run walk-off homer off the right-field foul pole May 12.

Next Slide  —  Maybe some people, statistically speaking, thought Michael Fulmer had an off-night on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.  —  Buck Showalter is not one of them.  —  “I don't think anybody that faced him did,” the veteran Orioles manager said on Thursday.