Top News:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Epstein: Zobrist could return to Cubs this season — LOS ANGELES — Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein says there's a path for veteran Ben Zobrist to return to the team before the end of the season. — “There's been a little definition added to how he hopes this thing might go,” …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Jorge Castillo / The Charlotte Observer:
Dodgers snap out of slumber, roll past Cubs — LOS ANGELES-When David Freese stepped into the batter's box to face Jon Lester in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, the signs of life from the Los Angeles Dodgers' offense were faint. Lester had limited the Dodgers …
Associated Press:
Dodgers outslug Cubs with 4 homers to win 7-3 — LOS ANGELES (AP) - Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and David Freese hit two-run homers to back Clayton Kershaw as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, True Blue LA and MLB Baseball News …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations: Jones continues to produce; Norris solid — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before Wednesday night's game, Ron Gardenhire had a talk with JaCoby Jones. — After hitting so well over the past three weeks, Jones was moved up nine spots in the batting order against the Royals, all the way up to leadoff.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Royals Review, NESN.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Matthew Boyd returns to Omaha, roughed up by Kansas City Royals — OMAHA - Matthew Boyd sat in the dugout during batting practice, wore his Oregon State trainers, and when he headed out to the field at TD Ameritrade Park on Thursday night, he did not head out, he bounced out.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers developments: JaCoby Jones leading off, Joe Jimenez setting up
Detroit Tigers developments: JaCoby Jones leading off, Joe Jimenez setting up
Discussion:
Royals Review, Bless You Boys and MLB Baseball News …
Pete Grathoff / Kansas City Star:
Here's a first look at how the stadium in Omaha looks for Royals' game Thursday
Here's a first look at how the stadium in Omaha looks for Royals' game Thursday
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Baseball News …
Joon Lee / ESPN:
What's behind Xander Bogaerts' breakout season — BOSTON — The same story has been written about the 2019 Boston Red Sox countless times. Inconsistency, inconsistency and inconsistency have been the buzzwords surrounding the defending World Series champions, and for much of Thursday night, things looked much the same.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Sampson? The offense? Woodward? A look at who was most culpable Thursday in Rangers' loss — Chris Woodward said that he had learned a lesson or two from his first career ejection Tuesday night. — The first, though he didn't say it, was to never trust umpire Angel Hernandez to do the right thing.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
'I feel like every day he impacts the game somehow, and that's pretty rare'
'I feel like every day he impacts the game somehow, and that's pretty rare'
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals slid, slide, rally to tie game, 4-4, before rain delay — St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches during the sixth inning of a game on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Injuries test Cardinals' pitching depth as Helsley goes on IL, Cabrera returns — NEW YORK — As they entered spring training, the Cardinals trumpeted the quantity of pitching options they had available for the major-league staff and from that wanted to create flexibility. — Both have been tested in recent weeks.
LaMond Pope / Chicago Tribune:
Yoan Moncada is out of the lineup for the 2nd straight game as the White Sox open their series against the Yankees — Yoan Moncada is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game as the White Sox begin a four-game series against the Yankees on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, South Side Sox and MLB Baseball News …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees hope the injured Jonathan Loaisiga can provide pitching boost soon
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Place Kendrys Morales On Injured List
Yankees Place Kendrys Morales On Injured List
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jed Lowrie ‘not close’ to playing games, shining light on $20 million deal that's flopping — Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen signing Jed Lowrie to become the team's starting third baseman never really made sense six months ago. It makes even less sense now.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Blue Jays at Astros — TORONTO BLUE JAYS at HOUSTON ASTROS — STARTING PITCHERS — RHP Aaron Sanchez (3-7, 4.25 ERA) vs. RHP Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.72 ERA) — Cole, the master of the spin rate (an average of 2,524 rpm on his four-seamer) led MLB entering play Thursday with 13.82 strikeouts per nine innings.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Baseball News …
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
As Blue Jays flounder, phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. impresses: ‘None of this scares him’
As Blue Jays flounder, phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. impresses: ‘None of this scares him’
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Camden Chat and Bluebird Banter
Mark Schmetzer / Cincinnati.com:
Top Cincinnati Reds games: No. 37 - Joey Votto's third homer a grand slam on May 13, 2012 — Joey Votto just couldn't resist the reference. — The Cincinnati Reds first baseman had just completed a record-setting day at the plate, significantly brightening an otherwise dreary Great American Ball Park …
RELATED:
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Angels' Ohtani to throw from mound soon — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani continues to progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, and he could throw from a mound before the All-Star break. — “He's getting close,” manager Brad Ausmus said before the Angels played …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and baseballmusings.com
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Eduardo A. Encina / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays optioning Christian Arroyo to minors, making room for Joey Wendle's return
Rays optioning Christian Arroyo to minors, making room for Joey Wendle's return
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, DRaysBay and MLB Trade Rumors
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Patrick Corbin was ‘prepared’ for difficult transition from Diamondbacks to Nationals — WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patrick Corbin knew what to expect. He had prepared himself for the possibility of leaving the Diamondbacks, and he had prepared himself for seeing his former team in the opposite dugout.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
ESPN:
Arenado in lineup day after being hit by pitch — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in Thursday night's lineup against the San Diego Padres, batting fourth a day after he was hit on the left forearm with a pitch. — X-rays on Arenado's forearm were negative and the Rockies …
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Aniello Piro / Mile High Sports:
Rockies will look to re-find footing with series versus Padres
Rockies will look to re-find footing with series versus Padres
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Baseball News … and Denver Post
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
One of the prospects in the Christian Yelich trade had a dazzling debut for the Marlins, shutting out the Cardinals — The Christian Yelich trade will forever live as one of the great transactions in Milwaukee Brewers history, but the Miami Marlins may still get some positive returns on the deal.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
Marlins slugger providing consistent results at the plate after ‘slowing everything down’
Marlins slugger providing consistent results at the plate after ‘slowing everything down’
Discussion:
Fish Stripes