Jake Arrieta, Cubs set to open series against Blue Jays  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Jon Lester's injury that will send him to the 10-day DL.  (Chris Kuc/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Former Cubs Darwin Barney and Miguel Montero are in town with the Blue Jays this weekend …

Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez ‘not going to sit there and complain’ about playing time  —  With the Los Angeles Dodgers in the midst of a historic season, it's easy to forget that the team's opening day first baseman has barely played this year.  —  Adrian Gonzalez hasn't played since June 11 due …

Zimmerman's homer lifts Nationals to 2-1 win vs Padres  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — With 33-year-old Edwin Jackson mostly frustrating the San Diego Padres for seven innings, Ryan Zimmerman and the rest of the Washington Nationals figured out a way to win on just four hits.

Red Sox owner John Henry wants to rename Yawkey Way for David Ortiz  —  Retired Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is honored with the renaming of a portion of Yawkey Way to David Ortiz Drive outside Fenway Park in Boston on June 22.  (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

Yankees Twitter account trolls Mets with ‘Game of Thrones’ quote following Subway Series sweep  —  In the Game of Thrones you either win or you're the Mets.  —  The Yankees took back the Iron Throne this week when they swept the Subway Series with four straight wins against their cross town rivals.

New Marlins owners to replace Samson, source says  —  David Samson, the loquacious and occasionally polarizing president of the Marlins for the past 15 years, will be looking for a new job when new owners take over the franchise.  —  A source said prospective owners Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter …

Yankees will turn to Aroldis Chapman on Friday, if needed, against Red Sox  —  BOSTON — After getting the last two days off Aroldis Chapman is available and will be Joe Girardi's closer if needed Friday.  —  Chapman, who has struggled, had been dealing with a tight hamstring as well as some confidence issues.

Jose Abreu steps in after White Sox rookie Reynaldo Lopez tries to pitch through soreness  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria on removing Reynaldo Lopez from Thursday's game against the Rangers with right side soreness on Aug. 17, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

What You Need to Know  —  Engel in the Outfield  —  The Thursday Takeaway  —  There were 38,675 fans in attendance at Wrigley Field for the final game of a four-game series between the Reds and Cubs, and I'd imagine that two or three times that many people would've claimed …

Frustrated Astros look to get back on track vs. A's (Aug 18, 2017)  —  HOUSTON — Astros manager A.J. Hinch spoke with obvious frustration in the aftermath of another Houston loss on Thursday, the 13th setback in 19 games for top team in the American League.

Twins avoid sweep, split doubleheader with Game 2 win  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Slegers calmly took the mound for Minnesota in his major league debut and helped the Twins beat Cleveland at home for the first time all season.  —  Then the emotion came, when he left the field to a standing ovation in the seventh inning.

Mayers joins Cardinals as Wainwright likely to go on the DL  —  PITTSBURGH  • Reliever Mike Mayers has joined the Cardinals in Pittsburgh, and the team is expected to move Adam Wainwright to the disabled list while he's back in St. Louis to meet with team physicians.

Orioles on deck: What to watch Friday vs. Angels, plus series matchups  —  The Orioles return from a West Coast road trip three games under .500 after losing to the Mariners, 7-6.  (Denise Sanders, Baltimore Sun video)  —  The Orioles lose to the Mariners, 3-1.  (Denise Sanders, Baltimore Sun video)

Always a Raven  —  The word explode is what got my attention.  —  It's just not a word you ever expect to hear from a doctor.  —  I'm sitting there, kind of dozing off.  You know how a doctor's office can put you to sleep?  Everything's white, it's quiet, kind of cold.

CAN'T GET TO A TV?  WATCH LIVE ON FOX SPORTS GO  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Seattle Mariners continue to hover at .500, which is enough to remain in the thick of the American League wild-card chase with 40 games to play.  —  The Tampa Bay Rays, who host Seattle in the opener …

Kris Bryant: Joey Votto is ‘the best player ever’  —  In the midst of arguably his best career season, Reds first baseman Joey Votto received the highest of praises from reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant.  —  “He's the best player ever,” Bryant said Wednesday, per CSN Chicago.

Phillies' 1989 trade for Sal Agostinelli still reaping rewards  —  UNIONDALE, N.Y. — It was a transaction not worth mentioning in the newspapers at the time, a minor-league deal between the Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals that did not even create a blip on baseball's radar screen.