Top News:
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo agrees to extension through 2020 season … After an offseason of uncertainty, President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo will lead the Nationals beyond this year. In a move that showed nearly unprecedented awareness of optics, and turned a spring of internal unrest …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
John Harper / New York Daily News:
The Mets are off to a nice start, but now the real test awaits vs. the Nationals — The Mets are off to exactly the type of start they needed to reboot their collective psyche after the nightmare of 2017, most importantly their pitchers, who as a staff have given up the fewest runs in the National League so far.
Associated Press:
Nationals give GM Mike Rizzo 2-year contract extension — WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo. — The team announced the deal on Thursday, hours before its home opener against the New York Mets.
Harvey Valentine / UPI:
Mets out to make statement vs. Nationals — The New York Mets have an early opportunity to show the Washington Nationals that the National League East is going to be more competitive in 2018. — New York, off to a 4-1 start, will be Washington's guest for a weekend series …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Corbin strikes out 12 as Diamondbacks sweep Dodgers — PHOENIX — Patrick Corbin finally found a way to end his long losing streak against the Los Angeles Dodgers. — And he did it emphatically. — Corbin shut out the Dodgers on one hit over 7 1/3 innings, striking out a career-high 12 in the Diamondbacks' 3-0 win on Wednesday.
RELATED:
Dan Bickley / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers … Momentum is impossible to quantify. It can't be bottled and shelved for the following season. It's been an elusive commodity at Chase Field for 15 years, where the Diamondbacks have been incapable of parlaying playoff teams into a winning tradition.
Discussion:
Arizona Sports and USA Today
Andy McCullough / Baltimore Sun:
Dodgers have no answer for pitcher Patrick Corbin in 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks — Enrique Hernandez spiked his helmet and flung his gear into the dirt. Yasiel Puig gazed at one of the umpires in disdain. Cody Bellinger held his bat by the barrel as he walked back to the dugout; it was the only contact his barrel made.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
USA Today:
Facebook Watch, MLB hope to build off Phillies-Mets broadcast — Luckily baseball didn't add the designated hitter in the age of Facebook, which debuted its exclusive MLB broadcast package on Wednesday. — The rain-delayed Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets game brought the first round of gripes …
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Happy Home Opener: How will you greet Gabe Kapler? | Extra Innings — Happy Home Opener! I honestly cannot wait to see how the sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park welcomes Gabe Kapler to Philadelphia today during the pregame introductions. A loud ovation would be a pleasant surprise.
Brian Marron / Daily Record:
Mets Facebook debut vs. Phillies draws mixed reaction
Discussion:
New York Daily News, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated
Scott Andera / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ranking the 2018 Cardinals fan giveaways: From grand slams to strikeouts — Like most big-league teams, the St. Louis Cardinals offer plenty of freebies for ticketholders who attend games. As if offering $5 beer wasn't enough. Of course, not all giveaways are created equal.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez looks for a better handle on things against Brewers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright will pitch home opener; Cards send Flaherty to Memphis
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Flaherty departs; Wainwright in line to pitch home opener
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Ohtani homers again, Cozart lifts Angels past Indians in 13 — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
RELATED:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Reminder: Shohei Ohtani may end up the greatest bargain in MLB history
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com and Halos Heaven
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Matt Kemp - older but leaner - bullish on Dodgers reunion: ‘I always wanted to come home’
Discussion:
Arizona Republic
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Gray, Rockies shut down Villanueva and Padres in 5-2 win … SAN DIEGO — Jon Gray pitched seven scoreless innings, Trevor Story and Ian Desmond each drove in two runs and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Wednesday night. — Gray (1-1) shut down the Padres a night …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Padres' Wil Myers goes on 10-day DL; reliever Phil Maton recalled — SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres have placed outfielder Wil Myers on the 10-day disabled list with nerve irritation in his right arm. — To take his roster spot, the Padres recalled right-handed reliever Phil Maton from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Luis Severino's ace performance, Ronald Torreyes' clutch play boost Yankees — NEW YORK - Luis Severino needed Wednesday's first inning to find his rhythm, and he needed a little help from the smallest player on the field. — Starting his first game of the year, second baseman Ronald Torreyes ranged …
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
What Bronson Arroyo and Shohei Ohtani have in common — After a rough spring, Shohei Ohtnai impressed in his first pitching start of the year against the Oakland A's. Was it enough to silence his doubters? Time — CONNECT — One of Shohei Ohtani's rarest feats in his first week …
RELATED:
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Nolan Arenado thrilled about Charlie Blackmon's new deal, not concerned about his own contract — Bud Black: “I'm excited for Charlie. I'm excited for the organization. I'm excited for the fans.” — SAN DIEGO — Nolan Arenado quickly dismissed the question, and then steered …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Call to the Pen and Purple Row
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies Extend Charlie Blackmon
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball, MLB Daily Dish, Mile High Sports and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Astros sweep away Orioles with 3-2 victory — Josh Reddick had three hits and Alex Bregman's tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning lifted the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. — HOUSTON (AP) - Josh Reddick had three hits and Alex Bregman's tiebreaking RBI single …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers Reaction: One play that wasn't made was one too many for this offense to overcome — At 2-5, fans of the Texas Rangers might be looking for some silver linings. The Rangers Reaction is here help. — Try these: — The Rangers have not been shut out this season.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Ken Belson / New York Times:
Patriots' Julian Edelman May Have Thwarted a School Shooting — The New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was in Texas visiting his former teammate Danny Amendola late last month when he received a direct message on his Instagram account: “Dude, there is a kid in your comment section …
Discussion:
Hollywood Life, HotNewHipHop.com, NESN.com, Bangor Daily News, CBS Boston, FOX 61, The Comeback and ProFootballTalk, more at WeSmirch »
