Top News:
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
‘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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Athletic
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Joe Maddon preaches importance of mental skills development in panel discussion: 'You've got to give them a tool' — Chicago Tribune — When Cubs officials meet with each player before spring training, they're also evaluating that player as a potential subject for the team's mental skills department.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Will the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry return to its antagonistic roots this weekend at Wrigley Field?
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
Cardinals stake their claim as the best team in baseball
Cardinals stake their claim as the best team in baseball
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
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 …
RELATED:
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians will give Corey Kluber update on Friday; lengthy rehab expected — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right ulna bone Wednesday night when he was hit by a line drive. To be blunt, he broke his pitching arm and he's not coming back soon.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Associated Press and MLB Daily Dish
Emma Baccellieri / Sports Illustrated:
The Indians Could Afford a Quiet Offseason But Now Pay the Price After Corey Kluber's Injury
The Indians Could Afford a Quiet Offseason But Now Pay the Price After Corey Kluber's Injury
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Evan Grant / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Associated Press:
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.
Discussion:
Miami Herald
Reuters:
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 …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
RELATED:
Emma Baccellieri / Sports Illustrated:
The Amazing Rays: MLB's Most Innovative Team Continues Blazing New Trails
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Neil Paine / FiveThirtyEight:
Are Any Of MLB's Breakout Teams For Real?
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
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 …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
ESPN:
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.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
ESPN:
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 …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Fire Pitching Coach Derek Lilliquist — The Nationals have fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, Mike Rizzo told reporters after tonight's game, including Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (Twitter links). Taking over the post will be Paul Menhart.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
LaMond Pope / Chicago Tribune:
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 …
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Miami Herald:
The Chris Sale trade is looking better these days for the White Sox
The Chris Sale trade is looking better these days for the White Sox
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB Baseball News …, South Side Sox and Boston Globe
Mark Schmetzer / Cincinnati.com:
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.
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
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 …


