Aroldis Chapman set to play catch Saturday, remains a few weeks away from Yankees return  —  It sounds like the Yankees are about to be one step closer to getting their closer back.  —  Joe Girardi said Friday that Aroldis Chapman would play catch for the first time since going on the DL …

Walker homers twice, deGrom pitches deep, Mets top Bucs 8-1  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Neil Walker homered twice in his return to his hometown, Jacob deGrom gave New York's bullpen a needed rest and the Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-1 on Friday night.  —  Walker, who grew up in Pittsburgh …

Phillies-Reds 5 things: Aaron Nola looks to build on extremely impressive return from DL  —  7:05 p.m. on CSN; streaming live on CSNPhilly.com and the NBC Sports App  —  Following their first win in a week, the Phillies open a new series this weekend against a beatable team in the Cincinnati Reds …

9 MLB players enjoying breakout offensive seasons in 2017  —  Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and thus so, too, is the time in every MLB season when we must stop dismissing early returns as the whimsical byproducts of small sample size and start considering which surprise stars are poised for lasting success.

Kyle Schwarber to start vs. righties only for now, Joe Maddon says  —  LOS ANGELES — Until further notice, Chicago Cubs outfielder and World Series hero Kyle Schwarber is likely to start against right-handed pitchers only, according to manager Joe Maddon.  —  Schwarber, who bats left-handed …

Rangers lose A.J. Griffin to injury, game to Jays  —  TORONTO  —  Texas Rangers starting pitcher A.J. Griffin left Friday's opener against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning with a strained left intercostal muscle and is headed to the disabled list.

White Sox call up Tyler Danish, Juan Minaya, put Dylan Covey on DL  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox made three roster moves Friday before their doubleheader against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.  —  They called up right-handed pitcher Tyler Danish from Triple-A Charlotte …

Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox relievers combine for shutout of Seattle Mariners  —  BOSTON — John Farrell doesn't see any great mystery behind the sudden success of young left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.  —  “It's just a matter of his abilities coming together,” the Boston manager …

Scherzer pitches into 9th, Nationals defeat Padres 5-1  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer allowed three hits over 8 2/3 innings, Bryce Harper and Michael A. Taylor hit two-run homers and the Washington Nationals defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Friday night.  —  Trea Turner added a solo homer and a double for Washington.

Felipe Rivero Changes Agents  —  Pirates reliever Felipe Rivero has changed his representation, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag.  Rivero has hired the Boras Corporation, per the report.  —  Rivero, who will turn 26 this summer, can't qualify for free agency until 2022.

Dodgers Claim Mike Freeman, Chris Heston  —  The Dodgers have claimed two players off waivers from the Mariners, the teams announced today.  Infielder Mike Freeman and righty Chris Heston are now headed to the Los Angeles organization.  —  Both players have been optioned to Triple …

Madison Bumgarner to throw off flat ground soon, Bruce Bochy says  —  San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is ready for the next step in his rehab after being sidelined since mid-April following a dirt bike accident in Colorado.  —  Bumgarner, who suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain …

Kaczmarski homer helps Ponies to sixth straight win  —  The Binghamton Rumble Ponies won their season-best sixth straight Eastern League baseball game, edging the visiting Hartford Yard Goats, 5-4, on Friday night at NYSEG Stadium.  —  All nine runs came across in the first three innings …

Angels lose closer Bud Norris before losing to the Marlins 8-5  —  The Angels lost, 8-5, to Miami on Friday night at Marlins Park, and might have lost one of their most effective pitchers, closer Bud Norris, in the process.  —  Jesse Chavez, the Angels' starter, struggled to keep the Marlins off …

Cleveland Indians to unveil baseball pioneer Frank Robinson statue Saturday  —  The Cleveland Indians will unveil the Frank Robinson statue in Heritage Park at Progressive Field on Saturday, commemorating his career as one of baseball's pioneers. … Robinson, now 81, became …

Adrian Beltre collects four hits, plays third base in rehab game  —  TORONTO  —  Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre had four hits, including a double, in his second extended spring game in Arizona on Friday.  Beltre played six innings at third base and took six at-bats.