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.

Red Sox designate Hanley Ramirez for assignment  —  BOSTON (AP) Hanley Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who are responsible for the $15.25 remaining on his contract but avoided him triggering a $22 million salary for 2019.  —  Boston made the move Friday to clear …

Scientific study diminishing effect of launch angles suits Cubs' Joe Maddon  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon on launch angles: “They sound good but don't help you.”  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon yelled “bingo” without a card in front of him.

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.

Powerful Yankees head home to face Angels  —  NEW YORK — Flight delays and home runs are the best way to describe the last week for the New York Yankees.  —  Since their last appearance at Yankee Stadium on May 13, the Yankees had an originally scheduled eight-game road trip cut down to six games …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Tigers activate Jeimer Candelario from DL  —  The Detroit Tigers activated third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the disabled list on Friday.  —  Candelario, who went on the DL on May 14 with tendinitis in his left wrist, is tied for the team lead with five home runs this season.