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,” …

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.

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.

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

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Padres closer Kirby Yates finds saving grace in San Diego  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Kirby Yates is the surfer baseball nearly forgot.  —  Not a single team bothered to draft him 10 years ago.  And the next decade was spent sold, released, purchased, waived and traded.  He spent parts of nine years in the minor leagues.

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.

Rockies will look to re-find footing with series versus Padres  —  Matchups against divisional opponents make up close to half of the games a baseball club will play over the course of a 162-game season.  —  The Colorado Rockies are set to square off against the National League West rival San Diego Padres …