Sources: MLB suspends prospect over false identity, age plot  —  Major League Baseball has suspended a once-prized Dominican prospect after uncovering an elaborate age-fraud plot that included a fictitious death and gravesite tombstone, sources familiar with the investigation told ESPN.

NY Mets vs Astros highlights: Mets held down by Hunter Brown in loss  —  NEW YORK - The Mets will gladly take a reprieve from facing their opponent's ace this weekend.  —  For two days against the Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski and Astros' Hunter Brown, the offensive openings were limited.

Tampa City Council approves definitive Rays stadium deal  —  Tampa's City Council definitively approved the Tampa Bay Rays' $2.3 billion baseball stadium proposal Thursday, little more than three months after council members nearly rejected the plan .The vote was 4-3, with all council members voting …

Michael Wacha records 10 strikeouts in Royals' shutout road win over Guardians  —  Key Takeaways  —  AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.  — Wacha tossed eight shutout innings and finished with 10 strikeouts.  — The Royals won 11 of their last 12 games and opened the series with a shutout.

No runs on Sale, Dodgers leave Atlanta with empty pockets  —  Estevão Maximo  —  Recommended Stories  —  Chris Sale shuts out Dodgers to finish sweep, throws his fastest pitch in 8 years against Shohei Ohtani  —  It was a pitchers' duel between Chris Sale and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

With Blaze Jordan on IL, starts at third base thrown wide open (again): Cardinals Extra  —  What Thomas Saggese was able to shed at Class AAA Memphis after his experience in the majors as a part-time player, like so many players before him, was the feeling he had to cram a game's worth …

Jalon Daniels will start Bucs' final preseason game under center  —  Jalon Daniels could secure the Bucs' No. 2 quarterback job tonight against Jacksonville.  At the very least, he's being given every chance to do so.  The Bucs plan to start Daniels in the preseason finale at Jacksonville …

Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach will have surgery, plus updates on Spencer Strider and Robert Suarez  —  The Atlanta Braves have announced that injured starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep will have to undergo “Tommy John” surgery and fellow starter Spencer Schwellenbach will also have surgery …

Game #135: Orioles at Athletics Game Thread  —  After receiving a day off yesterday, the Athletics welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Sutter Health Park tonight to kick off a three-game weekend series.  The Orioles are one of several teams in the mix for the American League's third wild card spot …

Brandon Staley was ‘laughed’ out of L.A. Why he thinks it made him a better coach  —  METAIRIE, La. — At first, the jolt of the news shook Brandon Staley to his core.  It tried to break him.  —  “It's very difficult to explain to people when you do lose a dream in front of the whole world …

Baldwin's leadoff home run is one-of-a-kind  —  A catcher hitting in the leadoff position in the lineup is rare.  What's even rarer?  —  A catcher hitting a leadoff home run.  —  That's exactly what Braves All-Star backstop Drake Baldwin did on Thursday night in Atlanta's series finale against the Dodgers at Truist Park.

Yankees' Fernando Cruz lost for the season, due to partial UCL tear  —  NEW YORK - Just hours after landing on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow discomfort, Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear.  —  Cruz will be seeking second medical opinions …

Clarke Schmidt to pitch in rehab game on Saturday  —  Clarke Schmidt (elbow) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday.  —  The 30-year-old hurler has finally made it all the way back in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is ready for live game action.