Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
‘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
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Detroit Free Press and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge: ‘No need’ to defend Home Run Derby title — Aaron Judge has already decided to pass on defending his 2017 Home Run Derby title. — The New York Yankees slugger said he will skip the event this July at Washington's Nationals Park.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Five sensible proposals for a Manny Machado trade … Set to become a free agent this winter and with his team already 18 games back in the AL East Division, it seems likely that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado could be available ahead of July's trade deadline.
Steve Habel / UPI:
Delino DeShields wants to end slump as Rangers host Yankees
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and Pinstripe Alley
George A. King III / New York Post:
Aaron Judge shuts down Home Run Derby talk: Can't force me
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, ESPN and USA Today
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals fall 5-2 to Royals in 10 innings — Pitcher Bud Norris was flawless in ninth inning. He set down the Royals in order and struck out two. — The tenth couldn't have been more different. Norris loaded the bases, then allowed a two-run single to catcher Drew Butera, who is hitting .176 on the year.
RELATED:
Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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.
Jose de Jesus Ortiz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Under-the-radar deals pay off for Cardinals
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
BenFred: Ozuna snoozed through end of his honeymoon in St. Louis
Discussion:
Sporting News
Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Former Cardinal Jay relishes trips to St. Louis
Discussion:
Royals Review
Joe Totoraitis / Associated Press:
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 …
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
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 …
RELATED:
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Jose Altuve standing tall again as Astros host Giants
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Samardzija's command off the mark, Giants swept in two games by Astros
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
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.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds place closer Raisel Iglesias on the disabled list with biceps injury — The Reds placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday. — Interim Manager Jim Riggleman said Iglesias has been bothered by a sore left biceps for several days.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and USA Today
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon defends catcher Willson Contreras' pitch-framing skill — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how starter Jon Lester has maintained his success and the play of Ian Happ on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber batting 1-2 for Cubs vs. Indians
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Tom Musick / UPI:
Chicago Cubs take crack at Cleveland Indians rookie Adam Plutko
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mike Cook / Associated Press:
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.
Chris Daniels / KING-TV:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, From the Corner … and Lookout Landing
Neil Paine / FiveThirtyEight:
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 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and DRaysBay
Associated Press:
McBroom, Bird lift Scranton/WB over Pawtucket 7-1 — PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — Ryan McBroom homered and singled, scoring two runs as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox 7-1 on Wednesday. The RailRiders snapped a five-game losing streak with the victory.
Associated Press:
Cameron's homer leads Lakeland to 8-4 win over Palm Beach — LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Daz Cameron hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, leading the Lakeland Flying Tigers to an 8-4 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals on Wednesday. — The home run by Cameron capped a four-run inning …
