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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Where would the Red Sox be without J.D. Martinez?  —  The Boston Red Sox were an excellent team in 2017, going 93-69 and winning the AL East before losing to the Astros in the Division Series.  —  The Red Sox made one major transaction in the offseason, signing J.D. Martinez as a free agent.

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.

Umpire Joe West moves into second place in games worked  —  Umpire Joe West worked his 5,164th career game Wednesday, passing Bruce Froemming for second all time.  —  West, who worked third base in Minnesota as the Twins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4, trails only Bill Klem, who worked 5,375 games.

Kyle Hendricks embraces challenge, delivers key victory against Brewers  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs' 2016 slogan of “Embrace the Target” still exists in pitcher Kyle Hendricks' mind.  —  The right-hander relishes the opportunity to pitch in meaningful games, such as Wednesday's series finale …

Cubs Acquire Terrance Gore  —  The Cubs have acquired outfielder Terrance Gore from the Royals, per an announcement from the Kansas City organization.  Cash considerations will head back in return.  —  Gore, 27, will presumably reprise his role as a late-season/postseason threat on the bases.

Liner knocks Paxton out as A's edge Mariners  —  Felix Hernandez replaced Paxton  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Jed Lowrie hit his 100th career homer after his line drive knocked Mariners ace James Paxton out of the game, and the Oakland Athletics beat Seattle 3-2 on Tuesday night to move within …

Cincinnati Reds manager Jim Riggleman gives his team a little pick-me-up talk after recent blowouts  —  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  Reds manager Jim Riggleman gave his team a little pick-me-up talk Tuesday night.  —  Those are necessary after you lose three straight and get outscored 27-6.