Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: MLB finalizing memo on rule against use of foreign substances by pitchers — Major League Baseball is putting the final touches on a memo that will detail the sport's rule against foreign substances, with the expectation among some sources that the document will be forwarded …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Boston.com, The Athletic, Bless You Boys, AZ Snake Pit, Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
Thomas Harrigan / MLB.com:
Here are the All-Star Ballot standings so far — Phase 1 of fan voting concludes at 4 p.m. ET on June 24 — The races to determine who will advance to Phase 2 of the fan voting for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard are starting to take shape.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Royals Review, Talking Chop and The Athletic
Sports Illustrated:
He Made Sticky Stuff for MLB Pitchers for 15 Years. Now He's Speaking Out. — Aces texted him and hurlers across baseball used his “stuff.” After the Angels fired him, this clubhouse attendant wants to know why he's the lone fall guy. — “Bubba, you got a minute?”
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, MLB Baseball News … and New York Post
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Arizona Diamondbacks unveil gold City Connect jersey, referencing Sonoran Desert, Hispanic culture — The Arizona Diamondbacks have unveiled a gold uniform referencing the Sonoran Desert and the state's Hispanic culture as the latest alternate jersey in the City Connect collection.
Discussion:
SportsLogos.Net News, MLB Baseball News … and Associated Press
Chad Jennings / The Athletic:
Is the timing of Red Sox pitching problems a coincidence, or is it related to MLB's looming substance crackdown? — It was in late May that buzz about major-league pitchers using illegal sticky substances seemed to really take hold throughout the game. Offense was down, spin rates …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Matthew Roberson / New York Daily News:
Mets' bullpen finally has a bad day in loss to Padres — Anyone who's watched the Mets this year has gotten an education on several new players. — In their 7-3 loss to the Padres (38-29), it was middle reliever Jacob Barnes' turn to potentially wear the new guy cape.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, Newsday and Newsday
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Tyler Ivey sidelined by elbow injury he hid from Astros — MINNEAPOLIS — Tyler Ivey's storybook saga concluded in the shower. He spent most of May 21 managing pain and pleasure. He reached the pinnacle of his professional career beneath a crowd of family and friends inside a ballpark he frequented as a child.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Lookout Landing
ESPN:
D-backs GM Mike Hazen takes leave of absence as wife battles cancer — Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is taking an immediate leave of absence from the team as his wife, Nicole, battles brain cancer, the team announced Friday. — Assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye will take on oversight …