Four things the Yankees have learned about the Rays  —  NEW YORK — Since April 1, one team has stood alone atop the American League East standings.  —  It might not after this weekend.  —  Many around baseball thought that might have happened last weekend, when the division-leading Tampa …

First-place Twins put Cruz on IL with wrist injury  —  The Minnesota Twins put designated hitter Nelson Cruz on the injured list with a left wrist strain Friday.  —  Cruz was pulled from Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers after aggravating the wrist on a swinging strike.  He has since missed four games.

Kevin Gausman set to start Saturday after suspension  —  Braves starter Kevin Gausman will return from his suspension and start Saturday, though he jokes the team might not need him back.  —  Gausman was suspended for intentionally throwing at Marlins starter Jose Urena earlier this month.

Carlos Gomez coming back to Mets — for real this time  —  Carlos Gomez's second stint with the Mets will begin Friday.  —  The veteran outfielder was informed following Thursday's game for Triple-A Syracuse that the Mets were selecting his contract.  It was unclear whether Gomez …

Cardinals Designate Luke Gregerson, Option Dominic Leone  —  The Cardinals have designated veteran reliever Luke Gregerson for assignment, per a club announcement.  Fellow right-hander Dominic Leone was optioned down to create another active roster spot.  —  Those moves will clear the way for two other hurlers.

Twins hit 4 HRs, pound stumbling Mariners 11-6  —  SEATTLE — Sometime during a fourth inning in which the Minnesota Twins sent 13 batters to the plate, their confidence really started to soar.  —  Viral video star C.J. Cron and Byron Buxton homered in an error-fueled outburst …

Fantasy baseball daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Saturday  —  Full 15-game slates usually offer up plenty of quality starting pitchers to stream.  Well, that's not the case this Saturday.  This one is pretty ugly, folks!  There are a lot of potential land mines out there.

Indians 2B Jason Kipnis ‘going in right direction’ after early-season struggles  —  Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis believes he is ‘going in the right direction’ after early-season struggles at the plate.  —  CLEVELAND — While the Cleveland Indians fought their way through …

Freddie Freeman on Austin Riley: He's working counts and not missing  —  Braves face-of-franchise first baseman Freddie Freeman is sold on Austin Riley.  —  Riley has played two games in the majors, both manning left field rather than his natural position of third base.

Ian Kinsler says emotional response wasn't directed at Padres fans  —  Padres second baseman denies his profane reaction after homer was due to fans' displeasure with him  —  Ian Kinsler arrived in San Diego with the dream that he could accomplish at the end of his career something like what he had at the beginning.

How the Royals' Nicky Lopez became one of modern baseball's rarest talents  —  Long before he became the perfect fit for the Royals at this moment (and more on that soon), Nicky Lopez argued with air.  —  That is not a metaphor.  That is not a slick way of describing something.  That is literally what he did.

Red Sox Designate Chandler Shepherd For Assignment  —  The Red Sox announced Friday morning that they've designated right-hander Chandler Shepherd for assignment in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Oscar Hernandez, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Top games in Cincinnati Reds history: No. 45 - June 18, 1947 - Ewell Blackwell's no-hitter  —  Ewell Blackwell's nickname was “The Whip” for two reasons.  —  At 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, he was as thin as one.  Then there was his delivery - a right-handed sidearm, whip-like motion …