Top News:
Associated Press:
Morton stays unbeaten, leads Astros over Indians — CLEVELAND (AP) — Charlie Morton remained unbeaten this season with six solid innings, Alex Bregman and Jake Marisnick hit three-run homers and the Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-2 on Thursday night.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Castillo suspended 80 games — Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. — The commissioner's office cited use of EPO.
Associated Press:
Trout, Pujols hit solo HRs as Angels beat Blue Jays — Mike Trout and Albert Pujols each hit solo home runs, Shohei Ohtani doubled twice and the Los Angeles Angels beat the host Toronto Blue Jays 8-1 on Thursday. — Nick Tropeano (2-3) pitched a season-high 7 1-3 innings to snap a five-start winless streak.
Associated Press:
Angels push back Shohei Ohtani's next outing as starting pitcher — TORONTO — The Los Angeles Angels are pushing back Shohei Ohtani's next outing as a starting pitcher to manage the workload of the two-way rookie. — Angels manager Mike Scioscia made the announcement Thursday.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and MLB Baseball News …
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? AL Central is the worst division since 1994 — Charlie Morton continued his dream season, improving to 7-0 with a 2.04 ERA as the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Indians 8-2. But let's skip Morton, George Springer (who reached base four times) and Alex Bregman …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Steven Matz continues Mets' pitching hot streak with six scoreless innings in 5-0 win — MILWAUKEE — One by one, the starters each put forth a strong effort. — This Mets' team is built to win on the strength of its starting pitching, and these past five games marked the best turn through the rotation this season.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Brandon Nimmo delivers exactly what Mets and Mickey Callaway needed in win over Brewers — MILWAUKEE — Brandon Nimmo could not be stopped. — The Mets left fielder reached base a career-high five times Thursday night. He had a career-high four hits and a walk in the Mets' 5-0 win over the Brewers at Miller Park.
Chris Iseman / Daily Record:
Jacob deGrom has been stellar, but NY Mets haven't taken advantage
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Rotoworld.com:
Dose: The Rays Shake It Up — The A's had Moneyball. The 76ers had The Process. And now the Rays have ... well we don't have a name for it yet (somebody get on that). But whatever this unnamed thing is, it's weird ... and I like it. — But not everyone is enjoying the Rays' grand experiment.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Rays plan to start relievers in all 3 games against Orioles
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jon Heyman / FRS Baseball:
Royals are open for trade business
Discussion:
Forbes, Sporting News, Royals Review and MLB Trade Rumors
Gabe Lacques / Arizona Republic:
Rays ‘bullpenning’ experiment continues: Relievers to start next three games vs. Orioles
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Reyes fans 13, allows one hit at Memphis — Alex Reyes emphatically answered Thursday night in Memphis any questions that somehow might have lingered after his first three starts on the Cardinals' medical rehabilitation program. — After making three outings covering 16 scoreless innings …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Reyes, Mercado spur Memphis to 7-4 win over Okla. City — MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Oscar Mercado had four hits and three RBI, and Alex Reyes struck out 13 hitters over seven innings as the Memphis Redbirds defeated the Oklahoma City Dodgers 7-4 on Thursday. — Reyes (1-0) picked up the win after he walked one while allowing one hit.
Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Minor league report: Mercado stays hot in Memphis win
Discussion:
Associated Press
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers … OAKLAND - A year ago, right-hander Taijuan Walker was a steady presence in the rotation and infielder Ketel Marte was a late-season lifesaver from Triple-A Reno. Both came to the Diamondbacks in the same offseason trade with the Seattle Mariners …
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Closer Roberto Osuna's absence really starting to be felt by Blue Jays — Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker let out sort of half laugh, half gasp on Thursday when asked how much his team misses closer Roberto Osuna. — “(Wednesday) night was certainly one time we really, truly recognized Osuna's absence,” said Walker.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kyle Schwarber showing improved defense in left field — 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 — Left fielder Kyle Schwarber …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Oldest in majors, Rangers' Bartolo Colon celebrates 45th birthday — From across the diamond, Kansas City closer Kelvin Herrera marveled at the oldest player in the major leagues, Texas Rangers pitcher Bartolo Colon, who turned 45 on Thursday. — “I used to have pictures of him in my bedroom …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Greg Bird expected back to New York Yankees on Saturday, Aaron Boone says — NEW YORK - Greg Bird could be back in the Yankees' lineup as early as Saturday. — The plan is for the lefty-hitting first baseman to be activated from the disabled list for Saturday's game against the Angels at Yankee Stadium …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Pondler induces double play, leads Dunedin to 5-1 win over Lakeland — DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Randy Pondler got Dylan Burdeaux to hit into a double play in the sixth inning, leading the Dunedin Blue Jays to a 5-1 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday.
Mark Didtler / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Snell goes 6 scoreless innings, Rays beat Red Sox 6-3 — Blake Snell threw six scoreless innings, — Wilson Ramos drove in two runs, and the — Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating the — Boston Red Sox 6-3 on Thursday night. — Snell (6-3) allowed three hits, walked two and struck out eight.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and DRaysBay
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Ex-bat boy on working for 1948 White Sox: ‘I learned an awful lot as a 14-year-old’ — Ron Meadows, former White Sox bat boy, throws the first pitch before the Sox played the Orioles Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Video: Ramon Torres hits little league home run in first at-bat of season — The Royals recalled infielder Ramon Torres from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday. He didn't get into a game until starting Thursday night's game against the Rangers, batting ninth. — In the top of the second inning …
Discussion:
Royals Review
Associated Press:
Carlos Rodon appears OK after taking line drive off forehead in minor-league rehab start — Carlos Rodon delivers a pitch on Thursday, May 24, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C. Rodon was taken out of the game after he was hit with a line shot to the forehead off the bat of Norfolk Tides D'Arby Myers during the third inning.
Associated Press:
Margevicius, Ornelas lead Fort Wayne to 3-0 win over West Michigan — COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (AP) — Tirso Ornelas tripled and doubled twice, and Nick Margevicius allowed just five hits over seven innings as the Fort Wayne TinCaps defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps 3-0 on Thursday.
Associated Press:
Latcham gets big strikeout, leads Palm Beach to 7-6 win over Clearwater — JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Will Latcham struck Mickey Moniak out with the bases loaded to end the game, leading the Palm Beach Cardinals to a 7-6 win over the Clearwater Threshers on Thursday.
