Top News:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets sending Matt Harvey to get arm checked by doctors — Matt Harvey is headed to the doctor Thursday morning to have his fatigued, surgically repaired right arm examined. After a four-inning start in which he could not push his fastball past 90 mph for most of the night, Harvey and the Mets are looking for answers.
Discussion:
Sporting News
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NorthJersey.com:
Mets pull away to beat Cubs, win series — Terry Collins discusses Michael Conforto's back stiffness Matt Ehalt/NorthJersey.com — NEW YORK — Matt Harvey kicked up his left leg and fired the first pitch of another game trying to find his old command, if not his old Dark Knight superpowers.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon preaches patience with Cubs' youngsters amid ongoing struggles — Cubs manager Joe Maddon after the 9-4 loss to the Mets on June 14, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs' Game 7 starting lineup in the 2016 World Series included 22-year-old Addison Russell …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo: 'I'm statistically the greatest hitter of all time to lead the game off'
Anthony Rizzo: 'I'm statistically the greatest hitter of all time to lead the game off'
Discussion:
Fox Sports
David Hill / Fox Sports:
Milwaukee Brewers Designate Neftali Feliz for Assignment — After a hot start, Neftali Feliz lost his spot as the Milwaukee Brewers closer. Now, he has lost his place on the roster, as he was designated for assignment. — When the Milwaukee Brewers signed Neftali Feliz to a one year contract …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
J. Martinez sparks four-run second; Cards trail 6-4
J. Martinez sparks four-run second; Cards trail 6-4
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
ESPN:
Brian Johnson to be re-evaluated after exiting with shoulder discomfort — Boston Red Sox starter Brian Johnson left Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning with discomfort in his left shoulder. — He will be re-evaluated on Friday in Boston.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / Boston Herald:
Red Sox demote Deven Marrero as matter of need, not deed
Red Sox demote Deven Marrero as matter of need, not deed
Discussion:
providencejournal.com and Over the Monster
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Red Sox hand Phillies their eighth straight loss
Red Sox hand Phillies their eighth straight loss
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Fox Sports:
Chisenhall homers, drives in 5 as Indians rout Dodgers 12-5 (Jun 15, 2017) — CLEVELAND (AP) Pinch-hitter Lonnie Chisenhall connected for a three-run homer and had five RBIs as the Cleveland Indians salvaged the finale of a three-game series by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 12-5 on Thursday.
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Jon Meoli / The Charlotte Observer:
Castillo's grand slam in 5th helps Orioles beat White Sox, 10-6, end 11-game road losing streak — CHICAGO — Welington Castillo's towering fifth-inning grand slam Wednesday night packed a lot of meaning for a reeling Baltimore Orioles team that had lost six consecutive games overall …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Greg Bird may stay at Triple-A Scranton if struggles at plate continue — ANAHEIM — Greg Bird, the best player in baseball during the spring, is going to have to earn his way back onto the first-place Yankees' roster. Joe Girardi's honest assessment of the struggling Bird at this point …
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's will let Trevor Plouffe go to make room for Matt Chapman — With top prospect Matt Chapman set to be officially called up on Thursday, the A's are preparing to designate third baseman Trevor Plouffe for assignment, The Chronicle has learned. — Plouffe, signed to a one-year …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Matt Chapman, A's third base prospect, being called up
Matt Chapman, A's third base prospect, being called up
Discussion:
Baseball America, MLB Trade Rumors and Athletics Nation
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Royals making most of their last chance together — SAN FRANCISCO - By going 9-3 with a 2.10 ERA in his first 13 starts, Kansas City Royals left-hander Jason Vargas has made a strong case for his first All-Star Game invite next month in Miami, where he began his major league career with the Marlins.
RELATED:
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
After Moustakas' splash hit, Royals roll their winning streak to four games
After Moustakas' splash hit, Royals roll their winning streak to four games
Discussion:
Royals Review
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tyler Thornburg To Undergo Surgery For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome — The Red Sox announced on Thursday that right-hander Tyler Thornburg will undergo surgery to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome. Thornburg, who has yet to pitch this year due to ongoing shoulder troubles, will miss the entire season.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
ESPN:
Report: Baseball to relax uniform policies during first Players Weekend — Major League Baseball will hold its first Players Weekend late this summer, an event that will allow athletes to showcase their personalities through minimal uniform restrictions, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday.
Discussion:
Pirates Breakdown
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Tim Keown / ESPN:
Talented, joyful and Dominican-proud, Manny Machado is the face of MLB's new identity. — Maybe that's why they work so hard to create the illusion of frivolity. The visiting clubhouse in Detroit, to take one example, has a table with cartons of Dubble Bubble (three flavors) …
Discussion:
CBS Baltimore
Dave Birkett / Detroit Free Press:
New OT Greg Robinson ready for fresh start with Detroit Lions — The second-round pick of the 2014 draft, Greg Robinson was slated to be a backup with the Los Angeles Rams this fall — Greg Robinson was so anxious to get a fresh start after three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams …
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
John LaRue / The Hardball Times:
Ground Rule Doppelgängers, 2017 Edition — Prior to last season, I collected several data points about each team since 1988. These data points represented the organization's past, present and future plans as well as its recent success and potential for success. Then I gave each a rank and percentile.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Early peek at whom the Phillies could draft with next year's top pick — The 2017 Major League Baseball draft - all 1,215 picks of it - is finished and next year's edition is less than a year away. A lot will change before next June, but one thing is fairly certain: The Phillies will have one of the top picks.
Stephanie Taylor / Tuscaloosa News:
Deontay Wilder charged with marijuana possession — World Boxing Council heavyweight boxing champ Deontay Wilder was arrested for marijuana possession Wednesday. — Wilder, 32, was charged second-degree possession of marijuana. He was released on $1,000 bond.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and Sportsnet.ca