Judge to miss time with stress fracture in ribs but expected to return this season  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees received a glimpse of what their lineup might look like without Aaron Judge during their three-game series against the Guardians, which concluded with a small-ball rally producing a tight 2-1 victory on Thursday.

Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson takes indefinite ‘personal leave’ … ST. LOUIS - Cincinnati Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson took a “personal leave of absence” ahead of the team's road trip to St. Louis.  —  The team has provided no details as to the reason, nor have they suggested a timeline for his return.

Latest mock draft: NCAA upsets shake up first-round scouting plans  —  Teams will have a little less time than expected to scout several of the top college players in the 2026 Draft.  A rash of upsets in NCAA regional play last weekend eliminated seven of the 16 top national seeds, including No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 Georgia Tech.

Dodgers at Diamondbacks updates.  Brandon Pfaadt sent to minors  —  The Diamondbacks are optioning right-hander Brandon Pfaadt to Triple-A Reno, where the plan is for him to get stretched out again as a starting pitcher after an inconsistent run in the big leagues as a reliever.

Manfred admits concern MLB labor talks will end in lockout  —  NEW YORK — Commissioner Rob Manfred on Wednesday acknowledged that he worries that Major League Baseball's labor negotiations could lead to a long work stoppage resembling the 1994-95 players' strike that cost the league 948 regular-season games …

Reds pitcher Tony Santillan has worst WAR rating among relievers … Tony Santillan's struggles have left him with some unsightly numbers.  —  Sent in to preserve a 2-2 game in the ninth, Cincinnati Reds reliever Santillan threw 22 pitches Wednesday night, June 3, against the Kansas City Royals.

Royals All-Star Maikel Garcia making progress in rehab from hamstring injury  —  AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.  — Maikel Garcia is available off the bench as he recovers from a right hamstring strain.  — MRI diagnosed Garcia with a Grade 1 hamstring strain after limping to third base.

Liverpool step up pursuit of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig  —  Liverpool have made contact with RB Leipzig as they step up their pursuit of forward Yan Diomande.  —  The Merseyside club are also in the strongest position with the player over a potential deal at present.

Rangers Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford expected to return to action Friday vs. Guardians  —  Texas is set to inject its two biggest sluggers back into the lineup.  —  The Rangers' two biggest bats are expected to return to the lineup Friday against Cleveland.

Dodgers using technology to sharpen Dalton Rushing's catching, ABS challenges  —  The latest lesson in Dalton Rushing's big-league education takes place in the bowels of Dodger Stadium.  The Los Angeles Dodgers' home ballpark offers a hub for modern hitting technology, and now it is being used for something else.

Ryan Leaf to join USA Network as lead Pac-12 college football analyst  —  Ryan Leaf will be USA Network's lead Pac-12 college football analyst and will do a select number of games as a college basketball analyst, a source with direct knowledge of the deal told The Athletic.