Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Red scratch right fielder Winker, reorder lineup vs. Weaver — CINCINNATI • What gave it away was the top of the first inning when Jesse Winker, the Reds' starting right fielder, did not go to right field to start. — Winker remained in the dugout, and Phillip Ervin manned right.
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds have had a power outage during the rough start - team is dead last in the NL in runs scored — It is not a complete shock the Reds have gotten off to a horrendous start. The team is coming off three straight 90-loss seasons after all. — But the Reds were a decent offensive ball club …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
One of MLB's most valuable pitchers, Diamondbacks' Archie Bradley not worried about paycheck — SAN FRANCISCO - In his heart of hearts, Archie Bradley still envisions himself as a starter. That's how he became a top-10 overall draft pick, and how he reached the major leagues.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB rule changes have cut mound visits in half, as time of game dips slightly — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees averaged 3 hours, 23 minutes a game during their first three-game series in 2018, complete with two brawls, a near no-hitter and two routs …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bruce Vielmetti / USA Today:
Milwaukee TV reporter charged with felony battery over fight at Brewers game
Discussion:
Deadspin
Associated Press:
Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki diagnosed with broken hand — NEW YORK — Kevin Plawecki of the New York Mets has a broken left hand and is following fellow catcher Travis d'Arnaud to the disabled list. — Plawecki was hit by a pitch from Miami Marlins reliever Tayron Guerrero in the eighth inning Wednesday night.
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Greg Tartaglia / Daily Record:
First-place Mets have a good news, bad news day in return home from 6-0 road trip — NEW YORK - The Mets returned home from a 6-0 road trip leading the National League with a 10-1 record. — By the time Friday's series opener against Milwaukee got going, New York was among the league leaders in catcher injuries.
Daily Record:
Derek Jeter will not come to NY with Marlins for series with Yankees — The new Derek Jeter-led Marlins will make their way to the Bronx next week for a series with the Yankees, but don't expect The Captain to be in attendance. — Jeter made it clear Friday that he will not accompany …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Derek Jeter won't show up at Yankee Stadium next week with Marlins — DETROIT — Numbah Two will not make his return to the Bronx next week. — Marlins owner Derek Jeter told reporters in Miami that he would not be making the trip to New York with the team, citing it being an “awkward situation.”
Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Struggling clubs meet when Yankees visit Tigers — Ron Gardenhire knew there would be some rough weeks when he accepted the managerial job with the rebuilding Detroit Tigers. This is turning out to be one of those weeks. — The Tigers come home to Comerica Park after getting swept in a four-game series by Cleveland.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Bless You Boys
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Royals sign autistic OF Tarik El-Abour to minor league deal — The Kansas City Royals signed autistic outfielder Tarik El-Abour to a minor league contract Friday. … According to the team's website, the 25-year-old El-Abour is believed to be the first professional baseball player with autism.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Shohei Ohtani eager for more as Angels balance work for 2-way star
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Associated Press
Doug Alden / Associated Press:
Porcello pitches Red Sox past Yankees 6-3 — BOSTON (AP) Rick Porcello looks a lot more like the pitcher who won the 2016 AL Cy Young Award than the one who lost 17 games last year. — That is one welcome development for the Boston Red Sox. — Porcello pitched seven scoreless innings …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Pinstripe Alley and Over the Monster
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Associated Press:
AP source: Reynolds, Nationals agree to minor league deal — A person familiar with the negotiations says free agent Mark Reynolds and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract and the first baseman would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster.
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Bill Center / UPI:
Blach has tough act to follow as Giants visit Padres — SAN DIEGO — It's going to be pretty difficult for Giants' left-hander Ty Blach to top what Chris Stratton did Thursday night in the opener of San Francisco's four-game visit to San Diego. — But if he does, he will have pitched the game of his career.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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Andrew Seligman / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Sanchez, Tucker lead Braves to 4-0 win over Darvish, Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Anibal Sanchez pitched three-hit ball over six innings, — Preston Tucker backed him with a three-run homer and the — Chicago Cubs with a 4-0 victory on Friday. — Sanchez struck out six and walked one.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Polanco homers twice to back third strong start by Williams — Gregory Polanco homered twice at Wrigley Field to help back a third straight solid start by Trevor Williams, and the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled away from the Chicago Cubs 6-1 on Thursday. — Francisco Cervelli lined a three-run shot …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Associated Press
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Indians heating up, go for sixth straight vs. Blue Jays — CLEVELAND — It took the arrival of some warmer weather, but the Cleveland Indians have finally started to hit. That might be bad news for the Toronto Blue Jays, who will visit Progressive Field on Friday night for the opener of a three-game series.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive … and Let's Go Tribe
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies' Scott Kingery should already be considered top rookie candidate | Bob Brookover — Two weeks into the Phillies season, one thing has become clear: Scott Kingery is a serious candidate for National League rookie of the year. In fact, it's not a stretch to consider him the leading candidate …
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
The joy of Ohtani, a sleeping giant and MLB's next big thing — Imagine a world in which Roy Hobbs exists. — This is about inimitable rookie sensation Shohei Ohtani, but let me make my point using the fictional Hobbs, the protagonist of the great baseball movie “The Natural” (Yes, it was a book first.
