Top News:
Associated Press:
Soto, 19, homers in first start for Nationals — Juan Soto, the youngest player in the majors at 19, hit a three-run homer in his first career start as the Washington Nationals defeated the San Diego Padres 10-2 on Monday. — Mark Reynolds had two solo home runs for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Kids bop: At 19, Nationals rookie Juan Soto has star company in home run club — SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports — Juan Soto, the teenage phenom …
Joe Totoraitis / Associated Press:
Brewers hit 3 HRs off Greinke, beat Diamondbacks 4-2
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Cubs-Indians: Five stark differences since their 2016 World Series showdown — SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports — It hasn't yet been two years since Kris Bryant …
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs slugger Kris Bryant isn't satisfied with simply making more contact — CHICAGO — His quest for perfection in the batter's box will never reach its conclusion, but that doesn't mean Cubs star Kris Bryant won't stop trying. The latest edition of his journey, which might well end …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Tom Musick / UPI:
Chicago Cubs host Cleveland Indians with 3rd straight win in sights
Chicago Cubs host Cleveland Indians with 3rd straight win in sights
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Steve Rosenbloom / Baltimore Sun:
Do the White Sox really think Manny Machado would want to play for a team like theirs? — Orioles slugger Manny Machado fields questions about being the focus of trade rumors on Monday, May 21, 2018. (David Haugh/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — You know what's worse than the White Sox not getting any better?
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Manny Machado, the ideal Cub, handles hoopla over arrival like superstar he is
Column: Manny Machado, the ideal Cub, handles hoopla over arrival like superstar he is
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun and Camden Chat
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
‘Nothing’ is best prescription for Nicky Delmonico's broken hand
‘Nothing’ is best prescription for Nicky Delmonico's broken hand
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
ESPN:
Cards' Alex Reyes to start, could return next week — Cardinals pitching prospect Alex Reyes will return to the majors as a starter and could rejoin St. Louis' rotation as early as next week. — Reyes, 23, has been dominant in three minor league starts this month and is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list next Monday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez starts road to returning
Bucky Dent / UPI:
Cardinals' O'Neill carries HR streak into game vs. Royals — Tyler O'Neill is muscling his way into the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup, one homer after another. — The outfielder figures to be back in there Tuesday night for the middle game of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium …
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ESPN:
Rangers GM Jon Daniels not blaming coaching staff for struggles — As the Texas Rangers continue to fall off the pace in the American League West, president and general manager Jon Daniels isn't looking for scapegoats on his coaching staff. — “When we took the approach we took this offseason …
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Steve Habel / UPI:
Struggling Rangers look to pick up pieces vs. Yankees
ESPN:
Mariners put Dee Gordon on DL with fractured toe — Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a fractured toe, marking the latest setback at the position for Seattle. — The Mariners have not announced a timeline for how long Gordon will be sidelined …
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Dave Del Grande / UPI:
West rivals Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics clash
West rivals Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics clash
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Associated Press:
Machado generates attention in Chicago — Manny Machado and Albert Almora Jr. played together in the backyard when they were kids, and the cousins dreamed about winning a World Series together. — As far as what effect Almora's presence on the Chicago Cubs might have on Machado's situation …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and Bleacher Nation
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Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Ex-Royals lefty Tim Collins pitches in majors for first time since 2014 World Series
Ex-Royals lefty Tim Collins pitches in majors for first time since 2014 World Series
Discussion:
Washington Post and Federal Baseball
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Phillies' Gabe Kapler: Jorge Alfaro and Pudge Rodriguez are ‘neck-and-neck, at worst’ — PHILADELPHIA — Even at this early stage of the season, a series for first place in the National League East elicits extra excitement from already-pumped up Phillies manager Gabe Kapler — and more than a touch of hyperbole.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Good Phight and Indianapolis Star
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers developing a theme for this season. It's frustrating. — Albert Pujols picked up his 3,000th hit on May 4. Which active player will be the next one to reach the milestone? Video by Ryan Ford/DFP Wochit — CONNECT — MINNEAPOLIS - Ron Gardenhire's phone rang …
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Dave Campbell / Toronto Sun:
Twins overtake Tigers 4-2 behind strong start from Berrios
ESPN:
The Shohei Ohtani experiment isn't just working — it's been perfect — I just got a calendar reminder that I set a little more than a year ago, to make fun of my friend Daniel. “There's no way a major league team will let Shohei Ohtani hit,” he swore to me last spring. “Zero chance. Way too risky.”
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Paul Goldschmidt's season-long slump should be cause for concern — First off, apologies to the Milwaukee Brewers. They beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 with three home runs off Zack Greinke and Corey Knebel recorded his first save since March 30. They're in first place in the NL Central …
Discussion:
Arizona Sports and Federal Baseball
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Associated Press:
Mets open series with 2-0 win over Marlins — Fish fall in New York — NEW YORK - Jason Vargas returned to the rotation with five excellent innings, AJ Ramos pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 2-0 on Monday night.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
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Ralph D. Russo / Associated Press:
MLB, USA Baseball modify youth game to pick up pace — NEW YORK (AP) — MLB and USA Baseball are promoting a modified version of youth baseball with fewer innings, batters and pitches to pick up the pace. — Hit and Run Baseball is part of the MLB's Play Ball initiative announced Tuesday.
Greg Auman / UPI:
Tampa Bay Rays will try to slow down Boston Red Sox's power — The Tampa Bay Rays get back to having a traditional starting pitcher on the mound, but they'll do so Tuesday night against the best hitting lineup in the majors as the Boston Red Sox come to town.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Minor League Ball and DRaysBay
Associated Press:
Assad, Amaya lift South Bend over Lansing 9-1 — SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Miguel Amaya had three hits and three RBI, and Javier Assad allowed just three hits over 5 2/3 innings as the South Bend Cubs topped the Lansing Lugnuts 9-1 on Tuesday. The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Cubs.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
There's more to Hicks' 105.1 than meets the eye — In the span of five pitches Sunday at Busch Stadium, Jordan Hicks not only ended one of the longest on-base streaks in Phillies history by striking out (sure, sure, wild pitch) Odubel Herrera, he also threw the five fastest pitches in baseball this season.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ian Happ and Jason Heyward sit vs. Indians starter Trevor Bauer — Cubs' Javier Baez on snapping out of a slump: ‘All about adjustments.’ (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Despite a productive weekend, Ian Happ won't start Tuesday night when the Cubs face the Indians and Trevor Bauer at Wrigley Field.