Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs skip the pitching fads and let starters go deep into games, giving the bullpen a break — Chicago Tribune — Starter Jon Lester's expected return is certain to fortify a Cubs rotation that has sparked the team's recent renaissance with its ability to pitch deep into games and ease the workload of a once-struggling bullpen.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Javier Baez is among the best players Joe Maddon has managed — Photos from the Cubs-Dodgers game on April 24, 2019, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Cubs manager Joe Maddon paused for a few seconds before answering if Javier Baez was the best player he's ever managed.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Try Not to Suck lager is Joe Maddon's latest venture. But will Chicagoans keep soaking up his products if he's managing elsewhere in 2020? — Joe Maddon launches his new beer, Try Not to Suck lager, Tuesday at Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cole Hamels out to extend his Wrigley Field success and the Cubs' winning streak against the Dodgers
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Quintana changes things up to give Cubs the top starter they traded for
Quintana changes things up to give Cubs the top starter they traded for
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Ramirez, Bauers get key hits as Indians beat Marlins 6-2 … CLEVELAND - Jose Ramirez homered and drove in four runs, Jake Bauers' eighth-inning single scored the go-ahead run and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Wednesday. — Martin Prado's two-out homer for Miami tied …
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Ben Axelrod / WKYC-TV:
Watch: Jose Ramirez hits home run in 1st inning of Cleveland Indians' matchup vs. Miami Marlins — With a solo shot to right field, Jose Ramirez gave the Cleveland Indians an early 1-0 lead vs. the Miami Marlins on Wednesday — CLEVELAND — Prior to his team's Wednesday matinee matchup …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Let's Go Tribe
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Struggling Chad Green turning into a big problem for the Yankees bullpen — ANAHEIM - Chad Green has been searching. He's looking for that dynamic stuff he had in 2017. The right-hander has been looking for it all year and Tuesday night it was painfully clear he was no closer to finding it.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Pinstripe Alley
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Mike Sheets / ESPN:
Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Thursday
Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Thursday
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and New Jersey Online
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso's leadership making early difference for Mets — Pete Alonso walked into camp for Mets spring training with a direct plan of action. He was going to make the Opening Day roster and he was not taking no for an answer. — Fortunately for the rookie, that rejection never came.
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
One year in, is Ronald Acuña Jr. ready to claim Best Player in Baseball title? — Long before radar and camera systems that log every imaginable measurement became necessities at minor league affiliates across baseball, they were like Christmas-morning toys to those who understood where the game was going.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
One year later: What makes Ronald Acuna the Braves' spirited superstar
One year later: What makes Ronald Acuna the Braves' spirited superstar
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Yelich out of Brewers' lineup; rookie Thomas in CF for Cardinals — A familiar name is out of the Milwaukee Brewers' lineup and a reasonably unfamiliar name is in the Cardinals' lineup for Wednesday's series finale at Busch Stadium. — Milwaukee right fielder Christian Yelich …
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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays finally promote Vlad Guerrero Jr. for Friday debut — The waiting is over, the training wheels are off: Vlad Guerrero Jr. is a big league baseball player. — After much babying and service-time manipulation, the Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that baseball's hottest of hotshot prospects will be a minor-leaguer no more.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Paul Attfield / Associated Press:
Giants hit 4 homers, outlast Blue Jays 7-6
Giants hit 4 homers, outlast Blue Jays 7-6
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish, Bluebird Banter and McCovey Chronicles
Reuters:
Mariners acquire P Wright in trade with Orioles — The Seattle Mariners acquired right-hander Mike Wright from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday for a minor-league infielder. — Wright, 29, was designated for assignment by Baltimore on Sunday after going 0-1 with one save and a 9.45 ERA in 10 relief appearances.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Acquire Mike Wright
Mariners Acquire Mike Wright
Discussion:
School of Roch and Lookout Landing
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers didn't want to promote Hearn until summer. He is likely starting Thursday — The pitching prospect the Texas Rangers wanted to keep in the minor leagues until at least the All-Star break will instead be making his MLB debut Thursday after only four starts at Triple A Nashville.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and Athletics Nation
Marlowe Alter / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers prospect Alex Faedo helps Erie SeaWolves throw combined no-hitter — Alex Faedo etched his name in history Wednesday afternoon. — Faedo, the No. 18 overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 MLB draft, combined with reliever Drew Carlton to throw a no-hitter for the Double …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Josh Harrison changed his stance to snap his slump. Here's how — BOSTON — Josh Harrison issued a homework assignment to reporters. — Harrison was discussing manager Ron Gardenhire's assessment of his day at the plate after the Detroit Tigers' doubleheader sweep over the Red Sox.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Gabe Lacques / Daily Record:
As long rebuild begins, new-look Orioles resolute: 'We're going to learn how to win' — BALTIMORE - In the unforgiving world of baseball's extreme rebuilds, there is no feeling quite like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, when years of careful regime building yields on-field results.
Discussion:
Indianapolis Star and Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Iowa manager says Addison Russell is ‘locked in and ready to rock’ — Addison Russell arrived at Principal Park Wednesday afternoon to begin what could be a short stint back in the minors. One of his first stops there was the office of Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey. — “I think he's pretty excited,” Pevey said.
Associated Press:
Nats hope Sanchez can continue Coors success — Veteran right-hander Anibal Sanchez has been pitching in the majors since 2006, but Washington's veteran right-hander will make just his third career start at Coors Field on Wednesday afternoon in the series finale between the Nationals and Rockies.
Discussion:
Purple Row