Yankees survive late scare to squeak past Blue Jays  —  Nothing has come easily for the Yankees this season — and that didn't change Thursday night.  —  But this time, they got a sterling performance from their bullpen — and just enough offense — to hold off the Blue Jays, 4-3, in The Bronx.

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 …

Game Day: Diamondbacks meet the Padres for first time in 2018  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Diego Padres for the first time this season in a weekend series.  Follow this page for updates, pitching probables and more.  —  MORE: Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila is off to a rough start at the plate

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.

Jake Arrieta strikes out 10, allows 1 hit in 7 innings to move to 2-0  —  Jake Arrieta flashed the All-Star form that made Philadelphia covet the free-agent ace, striking out 10 and tossing one-hit ball over seven innings to lead the Phillies to a 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Cubs hope Jon Lester's strong outing can help get starting rotation going  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Talk of having the best rotation in Cubs history died down shortly after the end of spring training.  —  Almost immediately, it was replaced by a heated discussion about what's wrong with the Cubs rotation.

Ayarza hits walk-off single in 10th, Jupiter beats Lakeland 6-5  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Rodrigo Ayarza hit a walk-off single with one out in the 10th inning, as the Jupiter Hammerheads topped the Lakeland Flying Tigers 6-5 on Thursday.  The Hammerheads swept the three-game series with the win.

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 …

Lewis leads Jackson to 8-3 win over Birmingham  —  JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) — Sam Lewis hurled five scoreless innings, leading the Jackson Generals over the Birmingham Barons in an 8-3 win on Thursday.  —  Lewis (2-1) struck out five and walked two to pick up the win.