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.
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Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Commentary: Shohei Ohtani at All-Star Game and Home Run Derby? Yes, please. — The Washington Post — Such is Shohei Ohtani's talent, allure and stature within the sport of baseball that getting only half of him constitutes a massive letdown. Or at least that was the takeaway …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Alex Anthopoulos traded in the Dodgers for first place in Atlanta … For the Dodgers to return to the World Series, they must conquer the other 14 teams in the National League. Andrew Friedman recently arranged a big party for the guy who runs one of those 14.
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? AL Central is the worst division since 1994
Discussion:
Associated Press and Sportsnet.ca
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny plays vets Fowler, Gyorko, Wong in series opener — PITTSBURGH • Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is going with his veterans on Friday night in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates here. — Dexter Fowler will be in right field. Jedd Gyorko will be at shortstop.
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Shelly Anderson / UPI:
Gant, Cardinals aim to whiff Musgrove, Pirates — Moving from Houston to Pittsburgh, from the American League to the National League, was plenty for right-hander Joe Musgrove. Then came a right shoulder strain that lingered from spring training into the season.
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Minor league report: Woodford spins a gem for Springfield — Pitcher Jake Woodford seems to have settled in at Class AA Springfield. After posting a 6.04 ERA over his first six appearances, he's allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past four starts.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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:
Pinstripe Alley
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Acquire Erik Kratz, Designate Jett Bandy, Option Orlando Arcia — The Brewers made a significant series of roster moves on Friday, acquiring veteran backstop Erik Kratz from the Yankees in exchange for cash and designating Jett Bandy for assignment to clear a spot on the roster.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Al's Ramblings and Brew Crew Ball
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ESPN:
Brewers send slumping Orlando Arcia to minors — The Milwaukee Brewers sent slumping former top prospect Orlando Arcia to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday as they made several tweaks to the major league roster. — The 23-year-old shortstop is hitting .194 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Designate Hanley Ramirez For Assignment — 10:34am: The Red Sox have formally announced the move via press release. Pedroia has been officially activated from the DL. — 10:13am: In a surprising move, the Red Sox will designate first baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB Baseball News …, NBC10 Boston, The Comeback and Over the Monster
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Tom Schad / USA Today:
Hanley Ramirez designated for assignment by Red Sox to make room for Dustin Pedroia
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca
Mark Didtler / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Snell goes 6 scoreless innings, Rays beat Red Sox 6-3
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Lone Star Ball, MLB Daily Dish and DRaysBay
Jeff Arnold / UPI:
Giants, Cubs look to end skids — CHICAGO — Joe Maddon acknowledges that the Chicago Cubs' inability to find any measure of consistency this season has allowed some level of frustration to creep in. — Before Chicago dropped back-to-back games to the Cleveland Indians this week …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets' Brandon Nimmo is on a tear, reaching base eight times straight — NY Mets lefty Steven Matz on his six scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over the Brewers Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — MILWAUKEE— It all started for Brandon Nimmo with— what else?— a walk.
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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 …
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Juiced baseballs, starting relievers and MLB's next big thing — It's a cliche to say something “came out of left field,” but when you're writing about baseball, you get to use that particular cliche. MLB's league office sent out a press release Thursday that came out of that proverbial left field …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Yankees sign former Reds catcher Wilkin Castillo — The Yankees are one of baseball's best and hottest teams, and apparently they don't need beds to get comfortable when they're on the road. Veuer's Nick Cardona has that story. Buzz60 — CONNECT — Wilkin Castillo …
Toronto Sun:
Goldeyes keep MLB great Palmeiro hitless — Former Major League all-star Rafael Palmeiro returned to professional baseball last weekend, starting two of the three games during the Goldeyes' season-opening series at Cleburne. — One of only six players in Major League history …
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.
