Marlins' Jose Urena suspended 6 games for hitting Braves' Ronald Acuna  —  Marlins pitcher Jose Urena has been suspended six games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally hitting Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Braves with a pitch.  —  Major League Baseball announced the penalties Thursday …

Cubs' Kris Bryant progressing toward Sept. 1 return — or earlier  —  Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant gives an update on his shoulder injury on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kris Bryant's deliberate rehab has progressed to the point …

Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton nearly hits for the cycle... in one at-bat  —  Giancarlo Stanton may have been the furthest from the spot, but he knew.  The Yankees' slugger busted out of the box and sped up as he turned the corner at first in the eighth.  Meanwhile, his hard-hit ball off the wall …

Rangers' Adrian Beltre still sidelined by hamstring injury  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre is still out of the lineup because of his troublesome left hamstring, but remains on the active roster.  —  Beltre said before the Rangers' game Thursday …

Why new Phillies catcher Wilson Ramos is called ‘The Buffalo’ |  Extra Innings  —  Wilson Ramos had quite the introduction to Philly on Wednesday night, and if the new Phillies catcher keeps this up, Jim Kenney could be facing some serious opposition next fall.

Ball hits Brandon Nimmo's finger; X-rays come back negative  —  New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo left Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies after a fastball hit his bat and his left hand in the third inning.  —  X-rays on Nimmo's left index finger came back negative.

Mets Set Franchise Mark With 24 Runs  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jose Bautista hit a grand slam and had a career-high seven runs batted in, and the Mets set a franchise record for runs as they forced the Phillies to use two position players for the final three innings of a 24-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.

GM Mike Hazen: Diamondbacks inconsistent but still in position to strike  —  SAN DIEGO - Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen did not so much dispute questions about his club's middling performance in recent weeks as he did try to reframe them.  —  “It's in front of us and I think that's the best way to talk about it,” Hazen said.

Potential September prospect call-ups you should add today  —  We're about two weeks from the end of August.  Once the calendar page turns, MLB teams have the option to expand their rosters.  Now, few teams will increase their clubhouse numbers to the maximum 40 players, and most will add only a handful of new faces to the mix.

Phillies prospect Andrew Brown adding improved curveball to stellar fastball in Lakewood  —  LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Andrew Brown already has a 95-mph fastball and a change-up that Lakewood manager Marty Malloy describes as “really good.”  —  He has worked all season on improving his curveball consistency …

70 years after Babe Ruth's death, New York Yankees and MLB fans still flock to his grave  —  HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — Amid the serene graves at Gate of Heaven Cemetery sits the one where visitors leave baseballs and bats instead of bouquets, tributes to a baseball superstar who still outshines others seven decades after his death.

While waiting for Michael Kopech's White Sox call-up, preview his ‘E:60’ profile  —  Photos of the White Sox pitcher and the No. 10-ranked prospect by Baseball America.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  White Sox minor-league pitching sensation Michael Kopech is set to receive ESPN2's “E:60” treatment this weekend.

Lester, Happ combine to lead Cubs to 1-0 win over Pirates  —  Jon Lester pitched six innings to win for the first time in just over a month and  —  Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 on Thursday night.  —  Lester (13-5) allowed five hits, struck out eight and had no walks while improving to 3-1 against the Pirates this season.

Tigers' Victor Martinez ‘pretty sure’ he will retire after this season  —  Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez seems ready to retire, once the 2018 season comes to an end.  —  “I'm pretty sure this is gonna be it,” Martinez told Fox Sports Detroit and a group of media …