Top News:
Chris Thomas / Detroit Free Press:
Astros block Free Press from Justin Verlander's postgame media session — The Houston Astros blocked a Detroit Free Press reporter from attending Justin Verlander's postgame media session on Wednesday night, violating Baseball Writers' Association of America protocol and possibly the MLB collective bargaining agreement.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Post, Sportsnet.ca, NBCSports.com, Detroit Tigers News … and The Big Lead
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
MLB: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros barring Detroit Free Press violates CBA — (Photo: Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports) — The Houston Astros violated the MLB collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday when they blocked a Detroit Free Press reporter from interviewing pitcher Justin Verlander …
Discussion:
Chicago Sun-Times and The Crawfish Boxes
David Purdum / ESPN:
Verlander, Astros historic favorites against Tigers — The Houston Astros are poised to be one of the largest favorites in an MLB game ever when they send Justin Verlander to the mound against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. — The Astros are listed as -500 home favorites …
Discussion:
Associated Press, NBCSports.com, The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Baseball News … and Bless You Boys
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers homer twice to top vintage Justin Verlander in Houston — HOUSTON - John Hicks did it again. — This time, it came in a much bigger situation. — For his second home run against childhood friend Justin Verlander, Hicks beat him. With a line-drive rocket to open the top …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Chris Bumbaca / USA Today:
Big favorites at sportsbooks for second time in 10 days, Houston Astros let down bettors again — The Houston Astros entered Wednesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers as massive favorites. But for the second time in less than two weeks, they let down big bettors.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Release Francisco Cervelli — The Pirates announced today that they have released catcher Francisco Cervelli. The 33-year-old had been attempting to work his way back from a concussion. — Today's move represents a disappointing end to to Cervelli's generally excellent tenure in Pittsburgh.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Pirates release Francisco Cervelli — Pittsburgh Pirates just announced that they have released catcher — Francisco Cervelli. No waivers, no DFA. Just his unconditional release. — Cervelli had been on a rehab assignment in the minors in his efforts to come back from a concussion.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bucs Dugout and Talking Chop
Jeff Wilson / Baseball America:
Sam Huff: Rangers 2019 Minor League Player Of The Year — If the race for the Rangers' Minor League Player of the Year were a presidential election, Sam Huff would be Ronald Reagan and everyone else would be Walter Mondale. — In other words, Huff would win in a landslide.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
O's allow 258th HR of season, tying MLB record — The Baltimore Orioles are Major League Baseball's new home run kings. Kind of. — On Wednesday night at Camden Yards, the Orioles surrendered their 258th homer of the season, tying the 2016 Cincinnati Reds for most round-trippers allowed by a team in a single campaign.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Robbie Ray nears return as Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation remains in flux — In a nearly empty Chase Field early Tuesday afternoon, loud grunts resonated from the home bullpen, followed by the pop of a catcher's mitt. — Robbie Ray was back on a mound. As it turned out, he was feeling good.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Rockies lose Gray for season with foot fracture — PHOENIX — The Colorado Rockies on Wednesday placed starting pitcher Jon Gray on the 60-day injured list because of a left foot fracture, ending his season. — The 27-year-old Gray is 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA this season.
RELATED:
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Jon Gray Suffers Season-Ending Foot Fracture
Jon Gray Suffers Season-Ending Foot Fracture
Discussion:
Purple Row and MLB Baseball News …
Adrian Covert / New York Daily News:
J.D. Davis smashes walk-off single in 10th to complete dramatic comeback against Cleveland — After a challenging offensive night for the Mets — and an injury to one of their key starting pitchers — J.D. Davis hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning to propel the Amazin's to a come-from-behind …
RELATED:
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Mets offense breaks out to back Steve Matz, beat Indians
Mets offense breaks out to back Steve Matz, beat Indians
Discussion:
Newsday, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB warns sexual enhancers may include PEDs — Major League Baseball in a memo warned about the “very real risk” of over-the-counter sexual-enhancement pills after at least two players this year were suspended for performance-enhancing drugs and said the banned substances found in their urine came …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com, New York Post and Bleacher Nation
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
2020 MLB International Prospects Preview — Clubs and players are both operating under the uncertainty of whether there will be an international draft in 2020. — If there's no draft next year, there are around 40 players who look like they could sign for bonuses of at least $1 million …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dave Dombrowski on hot seat in Boston just one year after winning the World Series — BOSTON — We are sitting in Section 31 at Fenway Park, in the dark blue wooden grandstand seats down left field, watching the Boston Red Sox take batting practice. — It's a gorgeous day …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster, NBCSports.com, Royals Review, Boston Red Sox News …, NESN.com and New York Post
RELATED:
Ian Browne / Red Sox News:
Sale focused on healing, helping team win again
Sale focused on healing, helping team win again
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Over the Monster and MLB Trade Rumors