Top News:
Paul Newberry / Associated Press:
Commentary: Jose Urena plunked Ronald Acuna Jr. He should be suspended for the rest of the season. — Ronald Acuna Jr. is good for baseball. — Jose Urena and his defenders are not. — Jose, take the rest of the season off. — And while you're at it, take Keith Hernandez with you.
RELATED:
Chuck Schilken / Los Angeles Times:
Ronald Acuna Jr. is hit by a pitch for being too good, and broadcaster Keith Hernandez is OK with that
Ronald Acuna Jr. is hit by a pitch for being too good, and broadcaster Keith Hernandez is OK with that
Discussion:
Fox News, New York Post and Talking Chop
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
After hitting Braves' Ronald Acuna, Marlins pitcher faces backlash and says it was accidental
After hitting Braves' Ronald Acuna, Marlins pitcher faces backlash and says it was accidental
Discussion:
miamiherald, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Fish Stripes and MLB Trade Rumors
Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Benches clear after Marlins drill Braves rookie Ronald Acuna to open series finale in Atlanta
Benches clear after Marlins drill Braves rookie Ronald Acuna to open series finale in Atlanta
Discussion:
SBNation.com, NBCSports.com and FanGraphs Baseball
Associated Press:
Braves, Marlins brawl after Acuna hit by Urena's first pitch
Braves, Marlins brawl after Acuna hit by Urena's first pitch
Discussion:
Talking Chop, New York Post and MLB Baseball News …
Jon Tayler / Sports Illustrated:
Jose Ureña's Dirty Pitch at Ronald Acuña Jr. Shows MLB Must Take Action
Jose Ureña's Dirty Pitch at Ronald Acuña Jr. Shows MLB Must Take Action
Discussion:
Paste, Talking Chop, Fish Stripes and Bless You Boys
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
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 …
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Rob Tornoe / Philly.com:
Today's first Phillies-Mets game available only on Facebook — If you were hoping to watch Phillies take on the New York Mets on television this afternoon, good luck finding the game. — For the fourth time this season, fans hoping to watch the Phillies will have to log onto Facebook.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and The Good Phight
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ESPN:
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.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
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 …
Associated Press:
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 …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
If the Cubs win the NL Central, which team would they least like to face in the playoffs? — Cubs manager Joe Maddon, Kyle Hendricks, Anthony Rizzo, Albert Almora Jr. and Jason Heyward discuss the Cubs' 8-4 win against the Brewers on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
3 things we learned from the Cubs-Brewers series
Ben Pope / Philly.com:
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 …
RELATED:
Aj MassEspn / ESPN:
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.
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Daniel Palka 'isn't afraid to fail' in big moments — Chicago Tribune — Daniel Palka was asked during an MLB Network interview about the moment it clicked in his head that he belonged in the big leagues, and the White Sox slugger thought about his first game after getting called up from Triple-A Charlotte.
Daily Record:
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.
Discussion:
FOX 61
Steve Dilbeck / Associated Press:
Dozier ends Dodgers' skid with RBI in 12th against Giants — LOS ANGELES (AP) It was looking all too familiar to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another lead lost, another reliever buckling in a big moment. — Only this time, after San Francisco Giants outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Ryan Ford / Arizona Republic:
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 …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Who's indispensable for contenders down the stretch? — Which players in baseball are most important for their teams down the stretch? This answer is trickier than simply picking the best players in baseball, because as we head toward the final quarter of the season, half of the league is practically …
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
New Iowa Cubs outfielder Terrance Gore expected in Chicago soon — 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
Scott Stinson / Toronto Sun:
Yankees and Red Sox's absurd spending habits will make it even tougher to rebuild the Blue Jays — Scott Stinson: Those two teams are already miles better — and they operate with a fearlessness that the Blue Jays' front office simply does not — The Toronto Blue Jays began their season …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley