Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Albert Pujols wants to play, but his career may be over after being cut by Angels — The Los Angeles Angels knew this day was coming. — Albert Pujols sensed it, too. — The Angels believed that Pujols, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, simply was no longer an everyday player, citing his .198 batting average and .622 OPS.
Discussion:
Daily News, Deadspin, Royals Review, New York Post, Sports Illustrated and CBS Boston
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Associated Press:
Angels star Mike Trout says he ‘broke down’ over Albert Pujols' departure from team — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout was cooling down after the Los Angeles Angels' game Wednesday night when he was told Albert Pujols was hugging teammates in the locker room.
Discussion:
ESPN, USA Today and MLB Baseball News …
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Los Angeles Angels designate slugger Albert Pujols for assignment — The Los Angeles Angels cut ties with future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols on Thursday, barely two months into the final season of his contract, ending a near-decade run in Southern California.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Japan Times, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and baseballmusings.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees call up Miguel Andujar after injury to Gio Urshela — Miguel Andujar made some noise in Triple-A Thursday night, hitting two home runs, and Friday afternoon the one-time Rookie of the Year finalist is back in the big leagues. While the Yankees have not announced the results …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Jose Altuve celebrates his birthday by getting revenge on taunting Yankees fans — NEW YORK — It was merciless, cruel at times, but Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve refused to succumb to the taunts. — Instead, ever so quietly, he vowed to get revenge. — Oh, baby, did he ever.
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Joon Lee / ESPN:
‘New York never forgets’: Yankees fans come out in full force to jeer Astros
‘New York never forgets’: Yankees fans come out in full force to jeer Astros
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Longtime Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Ray Miller dies at 76 — MLB, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates — Longtime pitching coach Ray Miller, who served as manager of the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles during his career, died Tuesday at the age of 76, it was announced Wednesday.
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David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Baltimore Orioles' John Means pitches no-hitter vs. Seattle Mariners, misses perfect game with wild pitch on strikeout — John Means was almost perfect for the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, but he will happily settle for a no-hitter and one of the greatest pitching performances in team history.
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Times, AZ Snake Pit, NBCSports.com and The Athletic
Entertainment Tonight:
Baseball Stars Mookie Betts and Andrew McCutchen Get Animated for Disney Kids Series (Exclusive) — Baseball all-stars Mookie Betts and Andrew McCutchen are getting animated! — Betts, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and McCutchen, who takes the field for the Philadelphia Phillies …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets' top pitching prospect Matt Allan will undergo Tommy John surgery — Matt Allan, the Mets' top pitching prospect, will undergo Tommy John surgery in the coming weeks, the team announced Friday. It's a disappointing blow to the right-hander's minor-league development and further pushes back his eventual big-league debut.
Discussion:
New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors
Kim A. Wilcox / Inside UCR:
Intercollegiate Athletics next steps — In November, I announced the establishment of the Athletics Working Group to conduct a thorough assessment of Intercollegiate Athletics on the UC Riverside campus; review challenges and opportunities; and make recommendations on the long-term sustainability of the program.
Discussion:
Press Enterprise, Orange County Register and UC Riverside Athletics
Sarah Valenzuela / New York Daily News:
Mets beat Cardinals in second game of doubleheader to salvage split — If the purpose of these seven-inning double headers is to save time, the Mets' Game 1 loss to the Cardinals definitely tested that logic. It got better for them in the second of the twin-bill Wednesday evening in St. Louis, when their offense decided to wake up.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Amazin' Avenue
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Bob McGinn / The Athletic:
Packers' draft class might not help much in 2021, but has plenty of future upside — No analysis of the Green Bay Packers' 2021 draft would be complete without first examining the team's rift with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. — My reporting confirms that of ESPN's Adam Schefter …
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Kansas City Royals score a run after umpire Angel Hernandez is ‘blinded’ by scoreboard — The Kansas City Royals jumped out to a three-run lead before the Cleveland Indians rallied to score the final seven of the game on Tuesday night. — However, the play that led to the game's second …
Discussion:
New York Post, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and Indians News
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Where does Atlanta Braves pitcher Huascar Ynoa's big night rank among other pitchers who rake? — If only all these position players could hit as well as Atlanta Braves pitcher Huascar Ynoa, we wouldn't be hyperventilating about the feeble state of batting averages across the major leagues.