Jose Martinez engages fans with pregame cannon  —  Hoping for a shot at redemption, 19-year-old Ben Klee bought a ticket for section 339.  He arrived to Busch Stadium in time for pregame warmups.  He waited, holding a black and tan glove.  —  Over the past month, first baseman Jose Martinez has developed a pregame tradition.

Diamondbacks lose 13th time in 14 games, 9-2 to Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — The tables did not turn for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Milwaukee.  —  Travis Shaw hit a three-run homer and Jesus Aguilar had a go-ahead, two-run single during a seven-run fourth inning to help …

Verlander improves to 6-2 as Astros beat Giants 4-1  —  Verlander (6-2) struck out nine and walked one in six innings, allowing one run and three hits as his major league-leading ERA rose slightly to 1.08.  He had given up just three runs over 29 innings during his previous four starts …

Dylan Covey gets another chance to prove himself as White Sox take on Orioles  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses how pitcher Dylan Covey has improved command of the strike zone on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.  (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

‘Future is now’ for Braves thanks to historic young duo of Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr.  —  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

Cincinnati Reds getting to work early under Jim Riggleman  —  It's been a daily ritual before home games since Jim Riggleman took over as Reds interim manager.  —  A handful of players are out on the field at 3 p.m. or so for early work.  It's usually the basics: Bunting, base-running, fielding.

Column: Life isn't easy for Cubs at top of baseball's food chain  —  Photos from the Cubs-Indians game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Adam Plutko wasn't exactly a name that rolled off the tongue of Cubs players before Wednesday night's game against the Indians at Wrigley Field.

J.D. Martinez Doesn't Need The Green Monster  —  When the Boston Red Sox signed free agent slugger J.D. Martinez this past offseason, it looked like a match made in baseball heaven.  As a right-handed power hitter who'd recently embraced MLB's fly-ball revolution — to great effect …

Another stellar Wacha start is wasted  —  There was no rain in the forecast on Wednesday afternoon, so the other most likely thing to happen in a Michael Wacha start came to pass: The Cardinals went to extra innings.  —  “I've been known to start those long games, that's for sure,” he said.

Brandon Nimmo's continued propensity to reach base will leave Mets with tough outfield decisions  —  Mickey Callaway admitted the obvious before the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday night at Citi Field: With Yoenis Cespedes nearing a return, the skipper will have some tough decisions to make …

Welington Castillo To Receive 80-Game PED Suspension  —  White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been slapped with an 80-game suspension following a failed PED test, per Dominican journalist Americo Celado.  Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets the same, and it seems that an announcement from the league could come tomorrow.

Fulmer, Goodum help Tigers top Twins 4-1, stop 5-game skid  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Fulmer is a bit confused.  —  Fulmer felt good going into his previous outing yet allowed three runs in a no-decision during a loss at Seattle.  —  “I come here today just not feeling well.

Tyson Ross helping the Padres win now, maybe later  —  Tyson Ross waits to pitch against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday.  (Rob Carr / Getty Images)  —  Privacy Policy  —  Tyson Ross makes it sound easy, but he also knows how important what he's doing is for the Padres.

Mercado leads Memphis over Okla. City 7-2  —  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Oscar Mercado hit a two-run home run and had three hits, driving in three as the Memphis Redbirds defeated the Oklahoma City Dodgers 7-2 on Wednesday.  —  Okla. City cut the deficit to 3-1 in the sixth after Breyvic Valera hit a solo home run.

Mariners strike deal for another 25 years at Safeco Field  —  The Mariners are staying at Safeco Field for the next 25 years.  —  The Seattle Mariners will spend another 25 years at the ballpark known as Safeco Field, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced in a brief press release Wednesday.