Top News:
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.
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Brad Ausmus ejected, bats go cold as Detroit Tigers lose 7th straight
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers ‘tried everything’ before cutting K-Rod, not ready to all out sell yet
Tigers ‘tried everything’ before cutting K-Rod, not ready to all out sell yet
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Michael Fulmer's dominant outing wasted because of Tigers' offense
Alex Butler / UPI:
Dad almost drops baby at Los Angeles Dodgers game, catches ball … Good thing this guy already has his Father's Day gifts. — A baby-carrying New York Mets fan nearly dropped his child Thursday while trying to catch a foul ball at a Los Angeles Dodgers game.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and The Big Lead
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Andy McCullough / The Charlotte Observer:
Wood provides six solid innings as Dodgers top Rockies for eighth win in a row — LOS ANGELES-The tomato can that was the New York Mets vacated Dodger Stadium Thursday after being pummeled in a four-game sweep in which the Dodgers slugged 15 homers, a franchise record for a series.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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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 …
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:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Lone Star Ball
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Jakob Junis makes case for continued Royals rotation consideration — Not even 24 hours before Danny Duffy was scheduled to make a rehab start at Class Triple-A Omaha, Jakob Junis took the mound on Friday evening at Kauffman Stadium unsure what shape his future in a Royals uniform would take.
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Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Royals score four runs in ninth to stun Blue Jays, get record back to .500
Royals score four runs in ninth to stun Blue Jays, get record back to .500
Discussion:
Royals Review
ESPN:
Chris Carter designated for assignment; Yankees promote 1B Tyler Austin from minors — The New York Yankees have designated Chris Carter for assignment and promoted Tyler Austin from the minors in an attempt to boost their production at first base. — The Yankees announced the moves late Friday …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Designate Chris Carter — After last night's game, the Yankees announced that first baseman/DH Chris Carter has been designated for assignment. He'll be replaced by prospect Tyler Austin, who returns to the majors for the first time this year. — Carter was a surprising non-tender …
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:
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
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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Fox Sports:
Angels look to bounce back vs. Red Sox (Jun 24, 2017) — BOSTON — Like teammate Alex Meyer Friday night, Angels righty J.C. Ramirez faces the Red Sox for the first time in his career in the second game of the three-game series at Fenway Park Saturday night.
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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ESPN:
Rays DFA Derek Norris to make room for Wilson Ramos — The Tampa Bay Rays activated catcher Wilson Ramos from the 60-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game after designating catcher Derek Norris for assignment. — The team made the announcement Friday night after Norris went 3-for-3 …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Designate Aaron Hill — The Giants have designated veteran utilityman Aaron Hill for assignment, as Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area was among those to tweet. Prospect Ryder Jones has had his contract purchased to take the open roster spot, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported on Twitter.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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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Griffin Fabits / Fox Sports:
Kansas City Royals: Contenders or pretenders as trade deadline nears? — Griffin Fabits/FanSided via Call to the Pen — The Kansas City Royals are just pretenders, and must seize the opportunity to trade away four of their free-agents-to-be before it's too late.
Discussion:
Royals Review, CBSSports.com and ESPN