Top News:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Are the Mariners for real? We're about to find out — Perhaps the time has come to take the Seattle Mariners seriously. — Oh, it's possible their .631 winning percentage and first place standing in the AL West is as much about schedule - they've played 26 games against the Rays …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB's great free agent class of 2018 limping toward finish line — This was going to be the mother of all free-agent classes, the one leaving baseball executives salivating, knowing that a checkbook alone could instantly turn around the fate of their franchise.
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
After another rocky outing, is Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo's roster spot in jeopardy?
Jake Becker / New York Daily News:
Shohei Ohtani could be out until 2020 season after Tommy John surgery: report — The Shohei Ohtani show may be put on hold until 2020. — ESPN has reported that the Angels' two-way star is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery that would sideline him for the rest of this season and possibly the entire 2019 season as well.
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
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Jordan Heck / Sporting News:
Shohei Ohtani needs Tommy John surgery, could be out until 2020, per report — Shohei Ohtani's rookie season is likely over, and he may not be able to return to MLB until 2020. — ESPN's Pedro Gomez reported on SportsCenter early Monday morning that the Angels pitcher will need Tommy John surgery …
Discussion:
The Week, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Balk gives Astros 8-7 win, first 4-game sweep of Rangers — Texas closer Keone Kela had already thrown a pitch to Evan Gattis with two outs when Astros manager A.J. Hinch came out of the dugout apparently to question whether Kela had balked. After a brief conversation among the four umpires …
Discussion:
ABC News
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Associated Press:
Brewers get Brad Miller from Rays for Ji-Man Choi — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have acquired infielder Brad Miller and cash from the Tampa Bay Rays for first baseman/outfielder Ji-Man Choi. — The NL Central-leading Brewers made the deal Sunday and assigned Miller to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
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Mark Didtler / Associated Press:
Mariners throw out runner at plate to end it, beat Rays 5-4
Mariners throw out runner at plate to end it, beat Rays 5-4
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Trade Brad Miller To Brewers For Ji-Man Choi
Rays Trade Brad Miller To Brewers For Ji-Man Choi
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, DRaysBay and Al's Ramblings
Gabe Lacques / Detroit Free Press:
Giants' Brandon Crawford handed Nationals' Max Scherzer his first loss in over 2 months — WASHINGTON — For more than two months, Max Scherzer could not be beat, mowing through opponents and racking up National League Pitcher of the Month honors for April and May, an indomitable ace sure …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Walter Villa / UPI:
San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins ready to open series
Chuck Schilken / Los Angeles Times:
Former Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is released by the New York Mets — First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was cut by the New York Mets on Sunday night following their 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees. — The five-time All-Star struck out in all three of his at-bats during that game …
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Ross Stripling, Max Muncy, Matt Kemp give Dodgers unexpected lift — The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 on Sunday and these three all contributed to the win: — • Ross Stripling allowed two runs over 6 innings, striking out six with no walks, improving to 5-1 with a 1.65 ERA.
Discussion:
Dodgers Nation
Associated Press:
Cabrera hurt, Cespedes' rehab cut short after setback — Sidelined for nearly a month by a nagging hip injury, Cespedes had his minor league rehabilitation assignment cut short Sunday following a setback. — On the disabled list since May 14 because of a strained right hip flexor …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Matt Ehalt / Detroit Free Press:
Yoenis Cespedes suffers setback while rehabbing that will delay return to Mets
Yoenis Cespedes suffers setback while rehabbing that will delay return to Mets
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Sarah Brookbank / Cincinnati.com:
Reds fan wins Toyota Tundra after close Jesse Winker home run — No one has ever hit the promotional Toyota sign in Great American Ball Park, but a Reds fan still will be driving a shiny new Tundra this weekend. — During the Reds game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday …
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ESPN:
Power Rankings: Rivals stake their claims for Astros' throne — The voting is in, and what figures to be a season-long three-way wrestling match for top honors in our Power Rankings has a new champ. After reclaiming the highest perch for just two weeks, the Astros, defending world champs …
ESPN:
Bullpen Power Rankings: Who's best at locking down their leads? — If you asked fans of 30 teams how they feel about their team's bullpen, you'd probably get 25 or so responses indicating how much better their teams would be without those bums in the pen. People instinctively remember …
Andrew Wagner / UPI:
Cubs, Brewers face off in battle of NL Central front-runners — If the Milwaukee Brewers want to win the National League Central and make the playoffs for the first time since 2011, they will need to find a way to get past the Chicago Cubs. — The Cubs have had the Brewers' number this year …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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John Healy / New York Daily News:
Seth Lugo, Todd Frazier lead Mets to 2-0 win over Yankees in Subway Series finale to snap eight-game skid — Perhaps the loud “Let's go Yankees” chants reverberating throughout Citi Field early Sunday night convinced the Mets they were no longer playing at home.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolaly not expected back until after All-Star break — Chicago Cubs pitching prospect makes Triple-A debut Friday — Chicago Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay is in Arizona rehabbing from an injury that will keep him on the disabled list for at least the remainder of the first half of the season.
Kellan Olson / Arizona Sports:
A.J. Pollock lone D-back in first return of All-Star votes — The Arizona Diamondbacks do not have much representation in the first return on All-Star balloting. — Outfielder A.J. Pollock was ranked 13th among National League outfielders with 110,055 votes.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
How has Tommy La Stella become one of baseball's best pinch-hitters? — Tommy La Stella drives in two runs with a single against the Brewers in April. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Tommy La Stella's approach to pinch-hitting is similar to his approach to life.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
May be time for Aaron Boone to give underachieving Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez a break (on the bench) — Gary Sanchez remains at the top of the list of Yankees' middle-of-the-order underachievers, having gone 0-fer during the Subway Series this weekend, hitless in 11 at-bats.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
For Phillies, batting J.P. Crawford ninth again would be a good sign — Gabe Kapler batted his pitcher eighth this season in 12 of his first 24 games as a major-league manager. The thinking, which he outlined throughout spring training, was simple: The ninth place in the lineup …
Discussion:
Philly.com and The Good Phight