Top News:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Masahiro Tanaka could pitch in Yankees' simulated game by late next week — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Masahiro Tanaka will be on a mound on Sunday. — For the first time since his twin hamstring strains, the right-hander will toss a bullpen session at Tropicana Field.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Clint Frazier is making the most of his playing time with Yankees — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Clint Frazier's future is day-to-day. — Right now, he's a Yankee. — But Frazier could be sent back down to Triple-A Scranton once Ronald Torreyes is eligible to be called up to the Bombers …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees pumped to see spark plug Brett Gardner back in lineup, update on Jacoby Ellsbury — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees got their igniter back. — Brett Gardner returned to the lineup on Friday — hitting leadoff and playing leftfield. The 34-year-old veteran had been out since June 16 due …
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Numbers tell the story of the Brewers' offensive ups and downs — In terms of run support, the Milwaukee Brewers' pitching staff has not asked much of the offense this season. — Just give us three runs and we'll take it from there. — Entering the weekend, the Brewers were 5-3 …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny on blowout loss to Brewers: 'It's just not how we want to look'
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards notebook: What to do without Wacha? Lengthy absence expected for starter
Joe Totoraitis / Associated Press:
Suter goes 7, Brewers beat error-prone Cardinals 11-3
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
James Shields rocked, White Sox rolled in season-worst 8th straight loss — Photos from the White Sox's doubleheader against the Athletics from U.S. Cellular Field on Friday, June 22, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — James Shields' four-run second inning — with the Athletics getting help …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Activate Avisail Garcia, Designate Trayce Thompson — The White Sox announced Friday that they've activated both Avisail Garcia and Leury Garcia from the disabled list. In order to clear roster space, infielder Jose Rondon has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, South Side Sox and Al's Ramblings
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Iowa Cubs pitcher Alec Mills makes the most of tough 2017 season — Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982. Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time. Mark Marturello and Michael Zamora/The Register
RELATED:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Bryce Harper says he'll participate in Home Run Derby if he makes 2018 All-Star Game — Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper said Friday he would participate in the Home Run Derby at his home ballpark as long as he makes the National League all-star team. — “So count me in for the Derby …
Discussion:
NESN.com and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Longtime Cubs-Dodgers rivalry gets intense reboot — Cubs manager Joe Maddon: ‘They hit the ball well but we were in the right spots. Great plays all the way around.’ (Mark Gonzales) — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs and Dodgers resume their 142-year-old rivalry Monday night in Los Angeles …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs face tough stretch without key members of their bullpen
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward back in 1-2 spots for Cubs — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward have proven to be a winning combination in the 1-2 spots, and they're back there Friday night against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. — Bryant, leading off for the seventh game …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays' all-star closer, suspended under MLB's domestic violence policy — Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna has agreed to a suspension through Aug. 4 under baseball's domestic violence policy, discipline that will cause him to miss about half of the season.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Dan Arritt / UPI:
Trout rolling as Angels face Blue Jays
Associated Press:
Ichi-who? Suzuki Sits on Mariners' Bench in Fake Mustache Disguise — Officially, Suzuki isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games under Major League Baseball rules. He came off the Seattle roster in early May and moved into the team's front office as a special assistant to the chairman.
Discussion:
Sporting News, MLB Baseball News …, The Ringer, Lookout Landing, The Comeback, NBCSports.com and CBS Atlanta
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' late rally falls short as winning streak is snapped by Rays with 2-1 loss — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees' seventh-inning rally came to an end — as did their four-game winning streak. — After Aaron Judge's RBI single brought the Bombers within a run in the seventh inning …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Pittsburgh Pirates … PITTSBURGH - Baseball people always say there's no commodity more valuable than young starting pitching, and the Diamondbacks appear to have let a starter get away for nothing in the offseason. — The Kansas City Royals plucked right-hander Brad Keller away …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Pitching out of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen suits Amir Garrett's personality well — Once Amir Garrett saw the home-plate umpire signal a called third strike, he let out a yell and clapped his hands three times as he walked toward the dugout. — Entering in the seventh inning Thursday …
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Yoenis Cespedes' return to Mets lineup uncertain, updates on Jay Bruce and Noah Syndergaard — The 16-word medical update the Mets provided on their $110 million Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes Friday didn't exactly illuminate or suggest encouraging news for Mets fans thinking the player nicknamed …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Toronto Sun:
Giants, Padres looking healthier in four-game series — SAN FRANCISCO — Two teams that looked a bit more like they hoped to look all season Thursday night will go head-to-head for the second straight game when the San Diego Padres take on the San Francisco Giants on Friday.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Minor league report: Poncedeleon pitches three scoreless for Memphis — Daniel Poncedeleon earned a big league call-up with the Cardinals June 11, but he did not appear in a game before the team optioned him back to AAA Memphis. With Michael Wacha's oblique strain, Poncedeleon could make a return to the majors soon.
CBS Boston:
Report: Hanley Ramirez Being ‘Eyed’ In Federal, State Investigation — BOSTON (CBS) — This week, rumors and whispers have begun to surface about former Red Sox player Hanley Ramirez. Late Friday afternoon, some details have been added to the picture. — Ramirez is “being eyed in connection …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Heavy.com, Deadspin, Over the Monster, The Big Lead and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Sign Danny Espinosa To Minor League Deal — The Phillies announced that they've signed veteran infielder Danny Espinosa to a minor league contract. The MVP Sports client will give the Phils some additional infield depth following this week's injury to J.P. Crawford …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Cesar Hernandez might be the Phillies' best position player right now | Bob Brookover — When the season opened, it was not a stretch to think that Cesar Hernandez would be one of the players most affected by the Phillies' decision to start the clock on Scott Kingery's big-league career.