Next Slide  —  It's the cloud that lingers every time Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound, even on a day as clear and sunny as Wednesday afternoon was at Comerica Park.  —  At best, the five-year, $110 million contract the Detroit Tigers handed to Zimmermann three winters ago can be called a mild failure.

Column: Low-maintenance bullpen may be the key to Cubs' stretch run  —  Photos from the Cubs-Brewers game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 15, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  If the Cubs are going to make an extended postseason run, the key is getting the bullpen in sync the rest of the way.

Walks haunt Robert Stephenson again in Cincinnati Reds loss to Cleveland Indians  —  When Reds manager Jim Riggleman came out to get Robert Stephenson, there was no dialogue between the two.  But the message was loud and clear:  —  Throw strikes, kid, or this isn't going to work out.

Brewers RHP Jimmy Nelson unlikely to return this season  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are casting doubt on Jimmy Nelson's chances of returning this season.  —  Nelson had shoulder surgery in September after he got hurt diving back to first after rounding the base on a single.

Last Slide  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - The Diamondbacks scored twice in the first inning on Monday night against Rangers starter Bartolo Colon, then added another run off him later in the game.  It wasn't the kind of explosive night they wanted, but three runs in five innings against the opposing starter is far from disappointing.

Braves, Marlins brawl after Acuna hit by Urena's first pitch  —  ATLANTA - Ronald Acuna's chance to extend his three-game streak of leadoff homers was put on hold when the Marlins' Jose Urena hit him with his first pitch on Wednesday night, triggering a melee that led to benches and bullpens for Atlanta and Miami emptying twice.

Upton homers, drives in 3 to lift Angels past Padres 7-3  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) Taylor Ward acted like it was his first day in the majors everywhere but in the batter's box.  —  Ward went with a pitch and hit an opposite-field RBI double in his first major league at-bat, and had two hits …

MLB: James Paxton is put on Seattle's DL  —  Left-hander James Paxton was put on the disabled list Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners because of a forearm bruise.  —  Paxton was struck by a line drive by Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie in the first inning Tuesday night.  X-rays were negative.

Are position players actually good pitchers?  Yes — and definitely no  —  From 1992 through 2006, 58 position players pitched in major league games.  This year, 54 have already done so.  In that 15-year period, a fan who watched every game his or her favorite team played would have seen …

Puig takes swing at Hundley before Giants rally past Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) Yasiel Puig took a swing at Giants catcher Nick Hundley during a benches-clearing scrap in the seventh inning, then Alen Hanson hit an RBI single in the ninth to lift San Francisco over the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Ronald Torreyes on report of wife's health after rejoining New York Yankees  —  Abbey Mastracco, Staff Writer, @AbbeyMastracco  —  NEW YORK — Ronald Torreyes was spending his summer in the minor leagues, waiting for a call to come from New York.  The popular utility player had been hitting .323 …

Mets GM interviews expected to include Blue Jays execs Tony LaCava and Ben Cherington  —  BALTIMORE — The Mets may look north to find their next general manager.  —  As the team is expected to hire an external candidate to replace Sandy Alderson, a pair of Blue Jays are generating a buzz, according to sources.