Top News:
Doug Alden / Associated Press:
Porcello pitches Red Sox past Yankees 6-3 — BOSTON (AP) Rick Porcello looks a lot more like the pitcher who won the 2016 AL Cy Young Award than the one who lost 17 games last year. — That is one welcome development for the Boston Red Sox. — Porcello pitched seven scoreless innings …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Pinstripe Alley and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Struggling clubs meet when Yankees visit Tigers — Ron Gardenhire knew there would be some rough weeks when he accepted the managerial job with the rebuilding Detroit Tigers. This is turning out to be one of those weeks. — The Tigers come home to Comerica Park after getting swept in a four-game series by Cleveland.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Rebuilding Padres say brawl can bring them closer together
Rebuilding Padres say brawl can bring them closer together
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Purple Row
Associated Press:
Yankees-Red Sox fight fallout: Kelly, Austin suspended; Ramirez leaves after being hit by pitch
Yankees-Red Sox fight fallout: Kelly, Austin suspended; Ramirez leaves after being hit by pitch
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
MLB notes: Rangers' early-season woes continue with losses, injuries
MLB notes: Rangers' early-season woes continue with losses, injuries
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch and MLB Baseball News …
Mike Shalin / UPI:
Orioles next up for hot Red Sox
Associated Press:
Polanco homers twice to back third strong start by Williams — Gregory Polanco homered twice at Wrigley Field to help back a third straight solid start by Trevor Williams, and the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled away from the Chicago Cubs 6-1 on Thursday. — Francisco Cervelli lined a three-run shot …
Discussion:
Associated Press and Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Royals sign autistic OF Tarik El-Abour to minor league deal — The Kansas City Royals signed autistic outfielder Tarik El-Abour to a minor league contract Friday. … According to the team's website, the 25-year-old El-Abour is believed to be the first professional baseball player with autism.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Shohei Ohtani eager for more as Angels balance work for 2-way star
Shohei Ohtani eager for more as Angels balance work for 2-way star
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Associated Press
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
One of MLB's most valuable pitchers, Diamondbacks' Archie Bradley not worried about paycheck — SAN FRANCISCO - In his heart of hearts, Archie Bradley still envisions himself as a starter. That's how he became a top-10 overall draft pick, and how he reached the major leagues.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB rule changes have cut mound visits in half, as time of game dips slightly
MLB rule changes have cut mound visits in half, as time of game dips slightly
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
Bruce Vielmetti / USA Today:
Milwaukee TV reporter charged with felony battery over fight at Brewers game
Milwaukee TV reporter charged with felony battery over fight at Brewers game
Discussion:
Deadspin
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals stick with lineup that bruised — and changed — Reds' bullpen — CINCINNATI • By the end of a game that reached its midway point tied, the Cincinnati Reds had been pressed to push a reliever into his major-league debut, use Saturday's scheduled starter, and turn to a position player for the final outs.
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Alan Robinson / UPI:
Reds aim to end five-game skid vs. Cardinals
Associated Press:
Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki diagnosed with broken hand — NEW YORK — Kevin Plawecki of the New York Mets has a broken left hand and is following fellow catcher Travis d'Arnaud to the disabled list. — Plawecki was hit by a pitch from Miami Marlins reliever Tayron Guerrero in the eighth inning Wednesday night.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Kevin Plawecki's hand is broken — and the Mets are in trouble — Just when it appeared everything was roses for the Mets, a batch of of dead dandelions arrived. — Suddenly, the Mets are without not one, but two catchers as Kevin Plawecki sustained a broken left hand Wednesday night …
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Indians heating up, go for sixth straight vs. Blue Jays — CLEVELAND — It took the arrival of some warmer weather, but the Cleveland Indians have finally started to hit. That might be bad news for the Toronto Blue Jays, who will visit Progressive Field on Friday night for the opener of a three-game series.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive … and Let's Go Tribe
RELATED:
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon: Clint Hurdle's tough talk reveals more about Hurdle than Javier Baez — Chicago Tribune — Joe Maddon was taken aback by Pirates manager Clint Hurdle's criticism of Javier Baez, saying, “I don't understand why he did what he did.” — But Maddon was more than prepared to respond Friday.
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Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
The joy of Ohtani, a sleeping giant and MLB's next big thing — Imagine a world in which Roy Hobbs exists. — This is about inimitable rookie sensation Shohei Ohtani, but let me make my point using the fictional Hobbs, the protagonist of the great baseball movie “The Natural” (Yes, it was a book first.
Bill Center / UPI:
Blach has tough act to follow as Giants visit Padres — SAN DIEGO — It's going to be pretty difficult for Giants' left-hander Ty Blach to top what Chris Stratton did Thursday night in the opener of San Francisco's four-game visit to San Diego. — But if he does, he will have pitched the game of his career.
RELATED:
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Stratton enjoys career night, Giants collect key two-out hits to win series-opener
Stratton enjoys career night, Giants collect key two-out hits to win series-opener
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and Gaslamp Ball
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Good health, dominant bullpen key factors behind Amazin' start by Mets — The Mets are off to the best start in their history, their 10-1 record the best in all of baseball, and somewhere, assuming he's been watching, Terry Collins is saying: “Who are these guys?”
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets are going to start loosening reins on starting pitchers
Mets are going to start loosening reins on starting pitchers
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies' Scott Kingery should already be considered top rookie candidate | Bob Brookover — Two weeks into the Phillies season, one thing has become clear: Scott Kingery is a serious candidate for National League rookie of the year. In fact, it's not a stretch to consider him the leading candidate …
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Marty Pevey sets Iowa Cubs managerial wins record — Thursday night was a big night for Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey. — Pevey secured the 1,000th win of his managerial career, 356th with Iowa and became the franchise's all-time wins leader when the Cubs beat the Nashville Sounds 6-3 in 11 innings at First Tennessee Park.
Discussion:
Booth, Justice …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees could turn to Gleyber Torres as soon as next week if infield still lacks production — DETROIT — Gleyber Torres Watch was supposed to officially begin on Friday. — Because that's when Torres was thought to be eligible to come up to the Yankees with the team gaining a seventh year of control.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Place Josh Donaldson On 10-Day DL — The Blue Jays have placed third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day DL with shoulder inflammation, per a club announcement. With the open active roster spot, the Jays will promote outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bluebird Banter
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Sign Yovani Gallardo — The Rangers have signed righty Yovani Gallardo to a minor-league deal, per a club announcement. He'll report to Triple-A to begin his second stint with the Texas organization. — Gallardo has already spent time with the Brewers and Reds organizations this year.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Lone Star Ball