Joe Maddon unplugged: Cubs manager on Kyle Hendricks' ‘Maddux,’ being ‘Karkoviced’ and putting green olives on pizza  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kyle Hendricks' brilliant performance against the Cardinals on Friday was still the buzz at Wrigley Field before Saturday's game.

Matthew Boyd has shaken off his past inconsistencies.  Here's how  —  It started in July 2018, after Matthew Boyd was knocked around by the Texas Rangers — the same team that had thumped him in the final start of his rookie year.  The experience left a younger Boyd declaring, “I know I can pitch in this league,” over-and-over again.

MLB notes: Reds release outfielder Matt Kemp  —  The Cincinnati Reds have released injured outfielder Matt Kemp just over four months after acquiring the 2018 All-Star from the Los Angeles Dodgers.  —  Cincinnati announced the move Saturday.  —  Kemp hit .200 with one homer and five RBIs …

The Miami Marlins' offense has shown signs of life at times.  The problem?  Inconsistency  —  The Miami Marlins offense has shown it has firepower at small, select points through the first month of the 2019 MLB season.  —  Seven times this year the Marlins have recorded double-digits hits …

Miguel Andújar's return can't spark Yankees as J.A. Happ struggles in loss to Twins  —  It had been 34 days since Miguel Andújar had been in the first-inning role call at Yankee Stadium.  When the fans got to the third baseman's name, and as he acknowledged them, the crowd roared.

Bundy takes 2-hitter into 8th, lifts Orioles past Rays 3-0  —  Right from the outset, Dylan Bundy showed this start was going to be different.  —  The Baltimore Orioles right-hander flashed a strong fastball, hit the corners and had the Tampa Bay Rays guessing what kind of pitch was going to come next.

Nationals' Juan Soto Placed on 10-Day IL After Suffering Back Injury  —  The Washington Nationals placed left fielder Juan Soto on the 10-day injured list Saturday because of back spasms, according to The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli.  —  The move is retroactive to Wednesday.

A's vs. Pirates: Pitchers will rule in this one, take the Under  —  Want even more betting news?  Sign up for VSiN's free daily newsletter  —  The Oakland A's and Pittsburgh Pirates entered their interleague series with a good combination for playing totals Under — solid starting pitching and struggling bats.

Bellinger misses game after separating shoulder  —  Cody Bellinger was not in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Saturday, one day after he separated his shoulder against the San Diego Padres.  —  Bellinger said his right shoulder “popped out” before immediately popping in again …

Phillies Designate Aaron Altherr For Assignment  —  Per a team release, the Phillies have designated OF Aaron Altherr for assignment after activating OF Odubel Herrera from the 10-Day IL.  —  Altherr, 28, has shown promise since his 2015 debut, most notably slugging .516 en route …

After making adjustments in the offseason, James McCann is catching on quickly with the White Sox  —  Post-Tribune  —  White Sox catcher James McCann recently recalled advice he received during his rookie season from former Tigers teammate Torii Hunter.  —  “No matter how good or bad …

Top games in Cincinnati Reds history: No. 50 Gordy Coleman's big day vs. Milwaukee Braves  —  If any major league player was meant to be platooned, it was Gordy Coleman.  —  The Reds left-handed hitting first baseman batted .285 with 89 home runs and 349 runs batted in over 701 career games against right-handed pitchers.

Upstart Padres are built to challenge the Dodgers in NL West … Wil Myers joined the San Diego Padres before the 2015 season, which means he has spent half a decade in the National League West living underneath the boot of the Dodgers.  For the Padres, a perpetual also-ran in Southern California …

Dodgers' A.J. Pollock ‘resting and recovering’ after surgery with no timeline for return yet  —  SAN DIEGO — Whatever expectations the Dodgers have for A.J. Pollock's return to action, they are keeping them to themselves.  —  Pollock underwent surgery Thursday to remove a plate and screws …

Astros rout Angels 14-2 in Mexico  —  The Houston Astros scored in each of the first six innings and cruised to a 14-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico.  —  The Astros scored one run in the first inning, two each in the second and third, one in the fourth …

Pirates Place Jameson Taillon On 10-Day IL, Select Tyler Lyons  —  Per a team release, the Pirates have placed righty Jameson Taillon on the 10-Day IL with a flexor strain in his right elbow and selected the contract of lefty Tyler Lyons from AAA-Indianapolis, among other roster moves.