Top News:
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers ‘tried everything’ before cutting K-Rod, not ready to all out sell yet — Al Avila admits it just didn't work for longtime closer; Ausmus said veteran RHP took release hard — SAN DIEGO — On the same day the Detroit Tigers gave up on veteran reliever Francisco Rodriguez …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
David Hill / Fox Sports:
Detroit Tigers Release Former Closer Francisco Rodriguez — David Hill/FanSided via Call to the Pen — In a move that came as absolutely no surprise to anyone, the Detroit Tigers have released former closer Francisco Rodriguez. — For most of his career, Francisco Rodriguez had been one of the top closers in the game.
Associated Press:
Masahiro Tanaka, Yu Darvish dazzle in first MLB duel; Yankees win in 10 — NEW YORK — Snuggled in his baby pouch, 3-month-old Toma Tsubota probably won't remember being at Yankee Stadium for his first baseball game. — His dad will. — “When he grows up, he will be proud that he was here for this …
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Darvish plans to make next start despite early exit — NEW YORK — Right-hander Yu Darvish expects to make his next start for the Texas Rangers after exiting early from his Friday outing with tightness in his right triceps muscle. — Darvish tossed seven scoreless innings on only 88 pitches …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Gomez feeling free with Rangers, and it shows — NEW YORK — He was stuck on a Houston team where he didn't feel comfortable and where he wasn't seeing any results for his hard work. He felt that his broken English served as a punching bag in a local newspaper column, which added further to his summer of discontent.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' Perez breaks right thumb, could miss next start
Rangers' Perez breaks right thumb, could miss next start
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Stanton homers, Urena sizzles as Marlins top Cubs 2-0 — MIAMI (AP) — The Marlins aren't hitting, and they're still winning. — Giancarlo Stanton hit a 458-foot drive for his 19th home run, Jose Urena scattered five hits over six innings and Miami topped the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Friday night.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs offense lets John Lackey down in second straight strong start — Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey on his outing in the 2-0 loss to the Marlins on Friday, June 23, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Long-awaited consistency from the Cubs rotation has arrived.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins Designate Christian Colon For Assignment
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Young Mets players can't help but feel ‘weird’ about Asdrubal Cabrera situation, team being in rebuild mode — SAN FRANCISCO — For a team that has been in the building-up mode for the last five seasons, Friday was something of a shock to the younger players in the Mets clubhouse.
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Matt Gelb / The Charlotte Observer:
Phillies' Mark Leiter Jr. beats Diamondbacks, captures first big-league win — PHOENIX — Baseball is amazing because a 22nd-round draft pick from the New Jersey Institute of Technology can stand 60 feet, 6 inches from one of the best hitters on the planet with just one pitch to compete on a night he would never forget.
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David Ginsburg / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Harper's 10th-inning single lifts Nationals past Reds 6-5 … WASHINGTON (AP) — On a night when right-hander — Stephen Strasburg struggled and the Nationals put themselves in an early hole, Washington used the long ball and an unlikely component - the bullpen - to pull out a satisfying victory.
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George Henry / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Foltynewicz, Swanson lead Braves over Brewers 5-4 … ATLANTA (AP) — Braves manager Brian Snitker couldn't believe how quickly 23-year-old shortstop — Dansby Swanson took control of a tough situation in ninth inning. — “That play Dansby made - I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that,” Snitker said.
Discussion:
Fox News, Talking Chop and Brew Crew Ball
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Associated Press:
Mejia, 3 relievers hold Indians to 4 hits in Twins' 5-0 win — CLEVELAND (AP) — The Minnesota Twins finally found a way to beat the Cleveland Indians. — Adalberto Mejia combined with three relievers on a four-hitter, leading the Twins to a 5-0 victory in a matchup of the top two teams in the AL Central on Friday night.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Alec McChesney / Kansas City Star:
With the game against Blue Jays on the line, Alex Gordon comes through for Royals — Alex Gordon has been here before. — With Friday night's game on the line, the Royals trailing 4-2 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, Gordon stepped to the plate against left-handed reliever Aaron Loup.
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Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Royals score four runs in ninth to stun Blue Jays, get record back to .500 — As the Royals' improbable ninth inning unfolded on Friday night, second baseman Whit Merrifield began to do the math. — “I counted out in my head that if it worked out, I was going to get to hit and I had confidence …
Jayson Jenks / The Charlotte Observer:
M's blast Astros, 13-3, as King Felix returns — SEATTLE-We begin with Felix Hernandez because this was supposed to be his night: His long awaited return, the King's Court, even fireworks. — So it was going to take a lot, a whole lot, for anything or anyone to overshadow Hernandez.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Designate Chris Young, Announce Neftali Feliz Signing — The Royals have announced that veteran righty Chris Young has been designated for assignment. His roster spot will go to reliever Neftali Feliz, whose previously reported signing is now official.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Al's Ramblings
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Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Royals sign former Brewers closer Neftalí Feliz and drop Chris Young
Royals sign former Brewers closer Neftalí Feliz and drop Chris Young
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Oakland's Cotton, Pinder leave game because of injuries — CHICAGO (AP) — Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton and shortstop Chad Pinder have left Friday night's game against the Chicago White Sox because of injuries. — Cotton exited with a blister on his right thumb in the sixth inning.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Tim Anderson and Rick Renteria tossed as A's shut out White Sox 3-0 — White Sox manager Rick Renteria on his and Tim Anderson's ejections from the 3-0 loss to the Athletics on Friday, June 23, 2017. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — What Tim Anderson thought …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Edubray Ramos, one year into big-league career, searches for answers — PHOENIX — Edubray Ramos has spent exactly one year in the majors, a year that began with his manager labeling the Venezuelan reliever as “fearless” and ended with three atrocious appearances.