Top News:
CBC News:
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 …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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Jason Munz / Hattiesburg American:
Anthony Alford promoted to MLB by Blue Jays
Anthony Alford promoted to MLB by Blue Jays
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays To Promote Anthony Alford
Blue Jays To Promote Anthony Alford
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca and FanRag Sports
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
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.
Discussion:
Sporting News, FanRag Sports and True Blue LA
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ESPN:
Dodgers place 3B Justin Turner on 10-day DL with strained hamstring — The Los Angeles Dodgers placed third baseman Justin Turner on the 10-day disabled list on Friday with a strained right hamstring. — Turner on Thursday left the Dodgers' 7-2 win over the Miami Marlins after suffering …
Discussion:
ABC News
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Place Justin Turner On 10-Day DL — 6:22pm: Turner has only a Grade 1 strain and is expected to be ready within a “couple weeks,” Roberts told reporters including MLB.com's Ken Gurnick (via Twitter). The club anticipates utilizing Logan Forsythe at times at third while Turner is out, the skipper added.
Discussion:
L.A. Daily 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 NL East is so bad, it's hard to tell if the Nationals are any good
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, CBSSports.com, Washington Post, Nationals Pastime and Royals Review
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
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.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Ausmus hopes dropping Nick Castellanos to 6th in Tigers' lineup will yield more production — Nick Castellanos' batting average doesn't tell the story. — Sure, he is hitting .224 early this season, a far cry from where many expected he would be at this point of the season.
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:
Brew Crew Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Chicago Tribune
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Associated Press:
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 …
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Notes: Injuries, Granderson, Rosario
Mets Notes: Injuries, Granderson, Rosario
Discussion:
Newsday, New York Post and ESPN
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, MLB Daily Dish and South Side Sox
Fox Sports:
LEADING OFF: Scherzer ready after liner, Senzatela at Cincy — A look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday: — SCHERZER READY — Washington's Max Scherzer says he is ready to start against Atlanta, six days after he was struck on the left knee by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia's Michael Saunders.
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Royals' Alcides Escobar ties club record for consecutive starts — MINNEAPOLIS — Even as his offensive production has declined, even as his bat has left him, Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar has retained one useful skill: He remains among the most durable players in baseball.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
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.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
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 …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
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 …
Associated Press:
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 …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
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.