Top News:
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
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs top pick Brendon Little no longer thrown for a curve after going on wild amateur journey — 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
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
Associated Press:
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ‘absolutely not’ wavering on using Kenley Jansen — SAN DIEGO — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts won't hesitate to send Kenley Jansen out for save opportunities despite the closer's shaky start to the season. — “Absolutely not.
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Associated Press:
Dodgers place Hill on disabled list with swollen finger — SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed left-hander Rich Hill on the 10-day disabled list with an inflamed middle finger. — The DL move is retroactive to Sunday. Los Angeles also recalled left-handed reliever Adam Liberatore …
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
RELATED:
Tim Reynolds / Toronto Sun:
A homer at home: Lindor's shot helps Indians top Twins 6-1
A homer at home: Lindor's shot helps Indians top Twins 6-1
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and USA Today
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 USA Today
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
Atlanta Braves sign Jose Bautista to Minor League contract
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Deadspin, Talking Chop, Royals Review, MLB Daily Dish 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 Daily Dish
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:
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
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.
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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
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:
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 …
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Giancarlo Stanton's struggles. Defensive woes: Here are 5 points on a .500 Yankees club
Giancarlo Stanton's struggles. Defensive woes: Here are 5 points on a .500 Yankees club
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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:
Daily Record:
NY Mets: Mickey Callaway being selective when getting Jose Reyes at-bats, playing time — NEW YORK — Mickey Callaway believes Jose Reyes will heat up at the plate. Until he does, the Mets manager has to be selective when it comes to getting Reyes at-bats.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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
John Hickey / Chicago Tribune:
Athletics sweep White Sox with bases-loaded single in 14th inning for 12-11 victory — Photos from the White Sox-Athletics game at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — Matt Olson singled off the left-field wall with two outs …
George Kurtz / New York Daily News:
Fantasy Baseball: 5 players off to hot starts and 5 who are not — Preaching patience and practicing it are two different things. It's easy to say that you should hold onto a player and wait for him to break out of his slump, but it's your team that is falling further and further down in the standings.
Thomas Lott / Sporting News:
Braves waiting for top prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. to heat up before promotion — Braves fans were counting the days until April 14 as they awaited the arrival of top prospect Ronald Acuna at the MLB level. However, the day came and went and still there was no Acuna.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Zimmermann, Cruz spur Rome to 8-5 win over Asheville — ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Derian Cruz homered and had two hits, and Bruce Zimmermann pitched five scoreless innings as the Rome Braves beat the Asheville Tourists 8-5 on Wednesday. — Zimmermann (2-1) picked up the win after he struck out seven while allowing two hits.