‘Jeopardy!’ champion and Cubs fan James Holzhauer dreams of working in a major-league front office  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It's a good thing “Jeopardy!” champion James Holzhauer is a Theo Epstein admirer.  Perhaps he'll let the Cubs president keep his job.

Rangers claim unofficial lead in unflattering statistic involving Tommy John surgeries  —  ARLINGTON - The most recent rash of Tommy John surgeries within the Rangers organization has given the club a most unwanted title.  They hold the all-time unofficial lead in Tommy John operations …

Rays split series with 3-1 victory over Royals  —  Brandon Lowe hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning off Wily Peralta to lead the Tampa Bay Rays past the host Kansas City Royals on Thursday.  —  The win enabled the Rays to split the four-game series with the Royals …

Nats' Strasburg fewest innings to 1,500 career K's  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings pitched than any player in major league history, hitting the milestone during Washington's game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

Addison Russell on being optioned to the minors, his future with the Cubs and more  —  As Addison Russell neared the end of his 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse police, the All-Star shortstop was given a short stint …

Berrios, Castro carry AL-leading Twins past Astros 8-2  —  MINNEAPOLIS — After a lopsided sweep of the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles to start their homestand, the Minnesota Twins faced a much better test of their strong start to the season with a four-game series against the Houston Astros.

Red Sox's Pedroia goes 0-for-3 in first rehab game  —  Dustin Pedroia went 0-for-3 in his first rehab game for Double-A Portland on Thursday night.  —  The veteran Red Sox second baseman started this season on the injured list and played in just six games before leaving an April 17 game …

White Sox place Carlos Rodon on the 10-day injured list and reinstate Lucas Giolito  —  Post-Tribune  —  The White Sox on Thursday placed left-hander Carlos Rodon on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.  —  Rodon, who allowed three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings in the first game …

Yanks' Hicks (back) plays outfield in rehab game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks played in the outfield for the first time since being sidelined in early March by a strained left lower back.  —  Hicks threw out a runner trying to score Thursday …

Indians to detail Kluber's prognosis on Friday  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians decided during the winter their starting pitching would carry them to another October.  —  Cleveland's ride might end before then.  —  Corey Kluber's broken right arm may alter the plans for a season the Indians hoped …

Top 100 games in Cincinnati Reds history: An introduction  —  Starting on May 4, 1869, the Cincinnati Reds - or Red Stockings or Redlegs - have played 21,302 games, give or take a couple here and there in the early 1870s.  —  They've won 10,773, according to various sources.

Giants summon catcher Stephen Vogt from Triple-A, will promote Tyler Beede  —  Tyler Beede is about to get another chance to prove that it's never too late for a first-round draft pick to make his name in the majors.  Beede will be promoted from Triple-A Sacramento to start Friday night's road-trip opener …

Mike Foltynewicz struggles in second start of season after injury  —  Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz could not find his groove on the mound.  —  He made his second start of this season Thursday in the Braves' final game of their four-game series against the Padres at SunTrust Park, in which the Braves lost, 11-2.

Rain delays top Marlins prospect Sixto Sanchez's debut.  Here's when he'll pitch now  —  Sixto Sanchez was ready.  —  The Miami Marlins' top prospect, obtained from the Philadelphia Phillies in February as part of the J.T. Realmuto trade along with starting catcher Jorge Alfaro …

Is MLB's ball juiced?  Home runs are being hit at record pace and pitchers just want the truth  —  SportsPulse: C.C. Sabathia has likely punched his ticket to Cooperstown after eclipsing 3,000 strikeouts.  MLB Insider Bob Nightengale looks at the current players that are also locks to be future Hall of Famers.