Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals-Cubs game postponed with more cold, snow expected at Wrigley — CHICAGO • As much trouble as the Cardinals had at Wrigley Field last season, at least they were able to play games there. — The weather improved to 2-1 against them without throwing a pitch.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: When it comes to conclusions on the Cubs after 15 games, best to avoid extremes — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses starter Tyler Chatwood's command issues against the Cardinals on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' lack of production from leadoff spot an early-season concern
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cold, wet spring has put a damper on Cubs' opening homestand
Column: Cold, wet spring has put a damper on Cubs' opening homestand
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Tim Reynolds / Toronto Sun:
A homer at home: Lindor's shot helps Indians top Twins 6-1 — SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) A home run, at his homecoming. — Say this for Francisco Lindor: He clearly has a flair for the dramatic. — Playing as a big leaguer in his native Puerto Rico for the first time …
Discussion:
USA Today and Twinkie Town
RELATED:
Tim Reynolds / Associated Press:
Mayor: Puerto Rico blackout won't affect Indians-Twins game — SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Major League Baseball is planning to play the finale of the Minnesota-Cleveland series in Puerto Rico as scheduled Wednesday night, despite an island-wide blackout.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Alex Butler / UPI:
Indians' Francisco Lindor clubs emotional homer in Puerto Rico homecoming
Indians' Francisco Lindor clubs emotional homer in Puerto Rico homecoming
Discussion:
Sporting News, ESPN and WKYC-TV
Associated Press:
Diamondbacks' Walker out for season with UCL tear — PHOENIX (AP) — Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker is headed for season-ending surgery to repair a partial elbow ligament tear. — The 25-year-old Walker pitched just two innings in his last start Saturday at Los Angeles before departing due to discomfort in his right arm.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Taijuan Walker has UCL injury; Diamondbacks unsure of severity — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker has an injured ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, but the team is uncertain about the severity of the injury. — Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Tuesday …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
John Marshall / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Belt's check-swing ruins Corbin's no-no, Dbacks 1-hit Giants
Belt's check-swing ruins Corbin's no-no, Dbacks 1-hit Giants
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Bob McManaman / USA Today:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Discussion:
Arizona Republic, baseballmusings.com and AZ Snake Pit
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera still raking at age 35 — Of course, Miguel Cabrera was going to play on his birthday. — Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire expected as much, even after Cabrera was pulled from Tuesday night's win over the Orioles after eight innings for precautionary reasons related to lower back tightness.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Dixon Machado, Miguel Cabrera power Detroit Tigers to 6-5 win — The early-season story of a young Detroit Tigers team with nothing to lose — a team that keeps fighting the weather and fighting back late in games — continued on Wednesday with a 6-5 comeback victory against the Baltimore Orioles.
Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles lose fifth straight, 6-5 to Tigers, on Dixon Machado's walk-off homer
Orioles lose fifth straight, 6-5 to Tigers, on Dixon Machado's walk-off homer
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Camden Chat and Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Slugger Jose Bautista, Braves agree to minor league deal — ATLANTA (AP) — Six-time All-Star Jose Bautista and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a minor league contract — Under the deal announced Wednesday, Bautista would receive a $1 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man major league roster.
RELATED:
Alex Butler / UPI:
Atlanta Braves sign Jose Bautista to Minor League contract — The Atlanta Braves signed Jose Bautista to a Minor League contract on Wednesday. — Bautista, 37, has reported to Atlanta's extending spring training complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. He will play third base.
Discussion:
Deadspin, Royals Review, Talking Chop, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News … and Bluebird Banter
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees bring back Adam Lind on minor-league deal: report
Yankees bring back Adam Lind on minor-league deal: report
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
MLBRank 50-1: Trout is clear No. 1, but who comes next? — Who are the best players in Major League Baseball going to be for the 2018 season? — EDITOR'S PICKS — Which ranking is the most head-scratching? What will the top five look like next year?
RELATED:
ESPN:
Who was too high or too low in MLBRank — Our yearly Top 100 rankings have hit the press, which means that in my semi-official capacity as the ombudsnerd, it's time to submit our list for a bit of a roast. What's the fun of a list if you don't disagree with it, after all? — EDITOR'S PICKS
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton's sluggish start drawing boo's — Here's a thought for all those kind-hearted Yankees fans who get their kicks booing and jeering Giancarlo Stanton: — You're not helping. — The club's new slugger can proclaim all he wants that the Bronx cheers he continues …
RELATED:
Bill Center / UPI:
San Diego Padres' Luis Perdomo returns to face Los Angeles Dodgers — SAN DIEGO — The last time Luis Perdomo threw a pitch in anger was opening the third inning at Coors Field in Denver on April 11. — The right-hander threw it behind Nolan Arenado. A brawl ensued and Perdomo was hit with a five-game suspension.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
McCullers strikes out 11 as Astros shut down Mariners — SEATTLE (AP) - Lance McCullers Jr. matched his career high with 11 strikeouts over seven innings of one-hit ball, Brian McCann hit a tiebreaking two-run home run and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
sports.MyNorthwest.com and The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Thames, old story for Cincinnati Reds in a 2-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers — MILWAUKEE - It was the same, old story Wednesday as it was Tuesday. Or Thames, old story. — The Reds managed only three hits, they got a decent outing from the starter, and Eric Thames' two-run home run …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com and Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
With Jason Vargas nearing return to Mets, Mickey Callaway considering six-man rotation — Jason Vargas is nearing a return to the majors, and once the lefthander is ready to take the mound for his 2018 Mets debut, manager Mickey Callaway will have a decision to make with his starting staff.
RELATED:
Will Graves / Pueblo Chiefton:
Pirates avoid sweep, pound Rockies 10-2 … Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) — GENE J. PUSKAR
Discussion:
Associated Press
Alex Butler / UPI:
Mookie Betts hits three homers, tying Ted Williams' record — Mookie Betts tied Ted Williams with a Boston Red Sox record three homers in a win against the Los Angeles Angels. — The All-Star right fielder went 3-for-3, with three bombs, three RBIs and two walks in the Red Sox's 10-1 win Tuesday …
Discussion:
NESN.com
RELATED:
Bill Plaschke / The Charlotte Observer:
For Ohtani, his third start is charmless, but he's young, and it's early
For Ohtani, his third start is charmless, but he's young, and it's early
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …