Top News:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers haven't looked like a .500 team of late, but that's what they were entering Friday — The short night for Taylor Hearn on Thursday put the Texas Rangers on a fast track to their fourth straight loss. — They've lost four in a row twice this season, with both skids coming on the road.
RELATED:
Scott Hanson / Miami Herald:
Mariners break out bats big time in 14-2 smashing of Texas — SEATTLE - It was a welcome return to T-Mobile Park for the Seattle Mariners, and a very unwelcome introduction to the major leagues for Texas starter Taylor Hearn. — The Seattle Mariners, who scored four runs combined …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers have roster mess on their hands for Friday. Here are three ways to clean it up
Toronto Sun:
Kikuchi to ‘open’ for Mariners against Rangers
Kikuchi to ‘open’ for Mariners against Rangers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lookout Landing
Associated Press:
LEADING OFF: Vladdy Jr. debuts, La Tortuga gets his night — A look at what's happening around the majors today: — IT'S TIME — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to make his big league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays against the Oakland Athletics. The son of Hall of Famer Vladimir …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Athletics Nation, McCovey Chronicles and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Vlad Jr. dons Sr.'s Expos jersey before MLB debut — TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. paid tribute to his Hall of Fame father before his major league debut for Toronto against Oakland, arriving at Rogers Centre dressed in a replica of his dad's Montreal Expos jersey.
ESPN:
'It's just Vlad Jr. being Vlad Jr.' Why we're so excited for Guerrero's MLB debut — His hitting exploits have already made him a social media sensation. He has a Hall of Fame father, a dynamic swing and an electric presence. His at-bats promise to be must-see viewing from the very start — and the very start is now.
Jon Tayler / Sports Illustrated:
What to Expect From Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as His MLB Career Begins
What to Expect From Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as His MLB Career Begins
Discussion:
Daily Hive, Athletics Nation, Bluebird Banter and The Ringer
Associated Press:
Lester solid in return, but Dodgers get past Cubs 2-1 — CHICAGO — Although it wasn't enough to keep the Cubs rolling, Jon Lester was pleased with his first outing in more than two weeks. — The Los Angeles Dodgers spoiled the veteran left-hander's return to the rotation by scoring …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
LaMond Pope / Chicago Tribune:
Eloy Jimenez returns to the White Sox lineup for the opener of a 3-game series against the Tigers — Post-Tribune — Eloy Jimenez rejoins the starting lineup as the White Sox open a three-game series against the Tigers at 7:10 p.m. at Guaranteed Rate Field.
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Toronto Sun:
Rodon aims for 3rd straight win as White Sox host Tigers — The Chicago White Sox have received little positives out of their starting pitching this season, save for left-hander Carlos Rodon. — Rodon (3-2, 2.89 ERA) will look to win his third straight start on Friday night as the White Sox begin …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, Bless You Boys and Lone Star Ball
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Mets activate deGrom to start vs. Brewers — The New York Mets activated ace right-hander Jacob deGrom to start Friday night's game against the victory Milwaukee Brewers. — The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner went on the injured list after experiencing elbow pain last week.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mets' Rhame suspended 2 games for headhunting — New York Mets reliever Jacob Rhame was given a two-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at the head of Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.
Discussion:
Sporting News, Talking Chop and New York Post
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Jordan Zimmermann (elbow sprain) placed on 10-day IL — Jordan Zimmermann hit the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right-elbow sprain, just a day after making an early exit from his start in Boston, the Detroit Tigers announced. — Zimmermann gave up five runs on five hits …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Jordan Zimmermann leaves with elbow soreness. 'It's not good'
Tigers' Jordan Zimmermann leaves with elbow soreness. 'It's not good'
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
Mike Digiovanna / The Charlotte Observer:
Angels blast Yankees, 11-5 — ANAHEIM, Calif. - A team in dire need of a morale boost and a victory got both Thursday night when the Angels muscled their way out of a four-run hole for an 11-5 win over the New York Yankees, preventing a four-game sweep by the visitors in Angel Stadium.
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Associated Press:
Greinke leads Diamondbacks past Pirates for 4-game sweep — PITTSBURGH — Zack Greinke did a little bit of everything on Thursday, holding the Pirates to two hits over seven innings and adding a big hit of his own to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-0 victory and a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and CBS Pittsburgh
Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Foltynewicz returns to Braves' rotation Saturday — Mike Foltynewicz, the Braves' best starting pitcher last season, finally will make his first major-league start of 2019 on Saturday night. — He missed almost all of spring training and the start of the season because of right elbow soreness stemming from a bone spur.
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Addison Russell says he's willing to ‘play another role’ for the Cubs — While Addison Russell has been serving a 40-game suspension, Javier Baez has emerged as the next superstar shortstop of the Chicago Cubs. — So, where does Russell fit if the Cubs are willing to give him another shot in the big leagues following his suspension?
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Toronto Sun:
Yankees look to bounce back at Giants — Madison Bumgarner goes head-to-head with one of the teams most strongly linked to him in winter trade rumors when the San Francisco Giants open a three-game interleague series against the New York Yankees on Friday night.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, Pinstripe Alley and Lone Star Ball
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Place Trevor Rosenthal On Injured List — The Nationals have placed struggling reliever Trevor Rosenthal on the 10-day injured list. He's said to be dealing with a viral infection. — Earlier today, president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo told reporters …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …