Phillies fire Rob Thomson, tried to hire Alex Cora as manager  —  The Philadelphia Phillies, off to their worst start in over two decades, fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday.  —  And they apparently had a preferred candidate in mind for his replacement.  —  Phillies president …

Tigers adding MLB veteran Kyle Hendricks to front office as a special assistant  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have hired former MLB pitcher Kyle Hendricks as a special assistant, league sources told The Athletic.  —  Hendricks has a relationship with Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris …

Inside Craig Breslow's stunning Red Sox house cleaning: 'It's his show'  —  TORONTO — The mass firing of Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and five of his most experienced coaches shocked the baseball world for both its timing and breadth.  But to those familiar with the inner workings …

Arizona Diamondbacks suffer lopsided loss in series opener vs Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE — The Diamondbacks' 13-2 loss to the Brewers here Tuesday, April 28, wasn't even the most lopsided loss the team has suffered this season.  —  Arizona was blown out, 17-2, by Atlanta on April 2 at Chase Field, barely a week into the season.

Fantasy Baseball Steals Report: Luis Arraez runs now?  And the Cubs' running game woes  —  Welcome to the steals report!  I will be here every Wednesday to go over important stolen base trends so you can find more speed for your fantasy teams.  —  Stealing a base is as much about the opposing pitcher …

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Daniel Palencia nearing a return, Mason Miller snaps scoreless inning streak  —  In this week's Closer Report, Daniel Palencia and Jhoan Duran appear set to return from the injured list in the coming days, while the Marlins lose Pete Fairbanks.

Dodgers doing balancing act with Shohei Ohtani's pitching and hitting duties  —  The decision to have Ohtani pitch but not hit on Tuesday was part of the Dodgers' efforts to keep Ohtani healthy and able to take on a full workload as a pitcher for the first time since 2023

Dodgers' offense fizzles again in loss to Marlins  —  Tyler Glasnow pitches well enough to win despite command issues, but one day after Manager Dave Roberts questioned the team's situational hitting, more issues surface in a 3-2 defeat  —  LOS ANGELES — Sometimes it is the bait …

In Defense of Umpires  —  Baseball is about people, not perfection.  ABS has got to go. … There is nothing good that can't be ruined by technology.  —  Major League Baseball's Automated Balls and Strikes System, aka the “robotic umpire,” allows players to challenge on-field calls.

D-backs Blaze Alexander Trade Suddenly Looks Completely Different  —  The Diamondbacks' outlook on the Blaze Alexander trade and Nolan Arenado decision is much different now. … When right-hander Kade Strowd (the primary return of the deal) did not break camp for the D-backs after spring training, the noise grew louder.

SF Giants' controversial 9-9-9 challenge has quietly disappeared  —  The San Francisco Giants' 9-9-9 challenge concession item is no longer for sale, and it might be for good.  —  Earlier this season, Oracle Park became one of six ballparks to offer this stunt food item, offering nine mini dogs and nine …