Mariners getting healthy as they face Astros  —  The Seattle Mariners are finally getting close to fielding the starting lineup they expected this season as they prepare for Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Houston Astros in Seattle.  —  Left fielder Ben Gamel …

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants … Each question posed to Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin presented a theory, of sorts, on why his year has begun in such spectacular fashion.  There was his slider usage, his distance removed from elbow surgery, the impact of his relatively newfound curveball.

Cardinals have hesitance using rookie Hicks for multiple innings  —  CHICAGO  • The new makeup of the Cardinals' bullpen, with its collection of closers and lack of a long reliever, means that all the fresh arms are going to have to cover innings, if needed.

Mets weighing options as they wait for lefty Jason Vargas to return  —  ATLANTA — The Mets' starting pitchers are once again competing for their jobs.  —  With lefty Jason Vargas set to return to the rotation as early as next weekend's series in San Diego, the Mets will soon decide which starter will lose his spot in the rotation.

Yankees drop struggling Giancarlo Stanton to 4th in lineup  —  NEW YORK — In the hopes of heating up Giancarlo Stanton's cold bat in the Bronx, the New York Yankees on Thursday are moving him in the batting order.  —  The power hitter, who had spent all of this young season hitting third …

White Sox trade Tyler Saladino to Brewers, pick up Trayce Thompson from Athletics  —  The Dodgers' Trayce Thompson grounds out against the Cubs on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Wrigley Field.  The White Sox acquired Thompson, who played for the Sox in 2015, from the Athletics for cash considerations Thursday.

Next Slide  —  The Detroit Tigers optioned left-handed pitcher Chad Bell back to Triple-A Toledo after he gave up two runs in a 13-8 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.  —  Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said the team will call up another pitcher to replace Bell …

Batting ninth - it's not always the pitcher for Gabe Kapler's Phillies  —  Jake Arrieta is considered one of the better hitting pitchers in baseball and he batted eighth 38 times in his career before joining the Phillies as a free agent this season.  But for the second time in as many National …

Poor playing conditions could follow Cubs to Denver  —  Joe Maddon on Cubs' hitters Thursday: ‘I loved our approach today.’ (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to pitch Friday night on seven days' rest, and he's bracing for an extension to his extended break.

Austin has hearing to appeal 5-game suspension  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin had his hearing Thursday to appeal his five-game suspension for his part in a brawl with the Boston Red Sox.  —  John McHale Jr., a special assistant to baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, heard the appeal.

Alex Rodriguez's cousin held captive after Lamborghini deal goes bad  —  Two men were arrested after they allegedly held a cousin of former slugger Alex Rodriguez for ransom Wednesday night, New York police confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.  —  Norberto Susini was held hostage at a New York hotel …

Yankees react to team's viral video supporting bullying victim: ‘Hopefully we just sent a positive message’ … When Yankees director of media relations Jason Zillo approached Aaron Boone and his players with an idea to promote positive change, there was no hesitation.

Yankees' Kahnle to miss several weeks with tendinitis  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle will be shut down for 10 days and likely miss a few weeks after being diagnosed with biceps and shoulder tendinitis.  —  New York manager Aaron Boone revealed the diagnosis Thursday before a game against Toronto.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds fired Bryan Price on Thursday after their 3-15 start, the first managerial change in the major leagues this season.  —  Price was in his fifth season leading the rebuilding team, which has relied on rookies more than any other team in the majors during his tenure.

Felipe Alou's book tells more than game stories  —  Felipe Alou has plenty of captivating stories to tell from the six decades he has spent in pro baseball, including stints playing alongside Willie Mays and Hank Aaron and managing Barry Bonds, three of the top five home run hitters of all time.

Valerio's homer leads Bradenton to 4-2 win over Palm Beach  —  BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Adrian Valerio hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, leading the Bradenton Marauders to a 4-2 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals on Thursday.  —  Ronny Agustin struck J.B. Woodman out with runners …