Top News:
Jerry Beach / UPI:
Braves, Mets duke it out for early lead in NL East — NEW YORK — Jason Vargas will take the mound Thursday afternoon for the New York Mets against the Atlanta Braves as the Mets try to return to first place after spending most of the season's opening five weeks atop the National League East.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mets' deGrom leaves loss to Braves with hyperextended elbow — NEW YORK — Finally armed with a healthy rotation, the New York Mets rolled to the top of the NL East in April and settled concerns after a frustrating 2017. — One big swing from Jacob deGrom, a few more from the Atlanta Braves …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Faith and Fear in Flushing and ESPN
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
No pitching, no hitting for NY Mets adds up to three-game sweep at hands of Braves — Mets manager Mickey Callaway discusses his offense and Jason Vargas Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — NEW YORK — An 11-1 start seems like a distant memory at this point, instead replaced …
John Rowe / Daily Record:
No pitching, no hitting for NY Mets adds up to three-game sweep at hands of Braves
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets manager Mickey Callaway says Jacob deGrom, who doesn't have ligament damage, will try to make Monday start
Jose M. Romero / Associated Press:
Verdugo, bullpen help Dodgers end skids, 2-1 over D-backs — PHOENIX (AP) Alex Verdugo doubled and scored twice, and a struggling Los Angeles bullpen picked up injured starter Hyun-Jin Ryu to help the Dodgers defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Ryu out until after All-Star break with groin injury — PHOENIX (AP) — More bad news for the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will be sidelined until after the All-Star break with a severe left groin strain.
Discussion:
Purple Row and St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
PUJOLS' PATH — Albert Pujols is two hits from No. 3,000. He got two Wednesday night for the Los Angeles Angels, and can reach the milestone at home against Baltimore. Chris Tillman is set to pitch for the O's — Pujols is 4 for 15 against him. Starting this weekend, the Angels begin a five-game trip to Seattle and Colorado.
Greg Beacham / Toronto Sun:
Trout, Pujols, Upton HRs power Angels' 10-7 win over Orioles — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Albert Pujols reached 2,998 career hits with a home run and a double, and Justin Upton hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 10-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Naples Herald
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Alex Butler / UPI:
Angels' Mike Trout breaks Statcast with ‘524-foot’ homer vs. Orioles … Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout broke Statcast, which said he hit a 524-foot homer in a win against the Baltimore Orioles. — The long ball came in the Angels' 10-7 victory against the Orioles Wednesday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif.
Discussion:
New York Daily News, Whittier Daily News and The Comeback
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Joey Votto reminds St. Louis Uber drivers that he won an MVP over Albert Pujols — Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was the National League MVP in 2010, beating out then-Cardinals star Albert Pujols, who had won the award the previous two years. — Votto is so proud of this that he brags …
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Padre punch: Rookies Franchy Cordero, Christian Villanueva show off power
C. Trent Rosecrans / The Athletic:
Q&A: Joey Votto on Albert Pujols' place in the game, competitiveness, and relationship to St. Louis
Discussion:
USA Today and MLB Baseball News …
MarinersPR / From the Corner of Edgar & Dave:
Mariners Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki Transitioning to New Role — Beginning today, Ichiro will work as Special Assistant to the Chairman — Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto today announced that Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is transitioning to the role of Special Assistant to the Chairman, effective today.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, USA Today, Chicago Sun-Times, The Comeback and Deadspin
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Yelich homers, Miley wins debut, Brewers sweep Reds 3-1 — CINCINNATI (AP) — Wade Miley made a positive first impression in his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers. — Miley pitched six effective innings, Christian Yelich homered and the Brewers swept the sloppy Cincinnati Reds with a 3-1 win on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
ESPN:
MLB to announce Yankees-Red Sox games in London — Major League Baseball intends to announce next week that the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will play two games at London's Olympic Stadium in June next year, a person close to the planning told The Associated Press.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Pinstripe Alley and Lone Star Ball
Steve Rosenbloom / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Did the Cubs get the extended warranty when they purchased Yu Darvish? — Cubs starter Yu Darvish discusses his “bad rhythm” in the team's 11-2 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Did the Cubs also pay for the extended warranty with Yu Darvish?
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Chicago Tribune
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Daniel Norris back on feet after successful surgery — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Daniel Norris is back on his feet. — That was the most interesting news in the Detroit Tigers' announcement Thursday morning that Norris had underwent successful surgery on his left groin and pelvic region.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris undergoes successful surgery
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Botte Shots: It's time for MLB to give umpires some help with the strike zone — Take away my Baseball Purist membership card. The kids no longer will be chased off my lawn about this one. — After strongly residing in the “human element” camp for years when it comes to umpires …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Blue Jays activate Josh Donaldson from DL — The Toronto Blue Jays activated third baseman Josh Donaldson from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday. — Donaldson was placed on the DL last month with right shoulder inflammation. — Donaldson, the AL MVP in 2015, is batting .239 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 12 games.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Harvey Valentine / UPI:
Harper shining as Nats go for sweep of Pirates — WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals can reach the .500 mark when they go for their fifth straight victory Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Washington, led by new leadoff hitter Bryce Harper, pounded the Pirates again Wednesday night, this time 9-3.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
RELATED:
Harvey Valentine / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Harper homers, Strasburg whiffs 11 as Nats top Pirates 9-3
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Federal Baseball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Carl Edwards Jr.'s ‘nasty’ stuff earns praise from fellow Cubs pitchers — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the team's 11-2 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — New Cubs closer Brandon Morrow didn't know much about Carl Edwards Jr. outside of one trendy statistic.
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Gleyber Torres delivers clutch 9th inning hit as Yankees come back to win wild one vs. Astros, 6-5 — HOUSTON — Leave it to the kid. — Gleyber Torres delivered a game-tying, two-run single in the ninth inning, as the Yankees rallied back from a 5-3 deficit to defeat the Astros, 6-5 …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Grading early returns on the MLB offseason's biggest moves — Grading a hot stove transaction in early May is the baseball equivalent of judging Tiger Woods' round when he's standing on the fourth tee at Augusta National. In the face of such a limited sample size, the numbers are subject to constant re-evaluation.
Discussion:
NESN.com
Associated Press:
Severino hurls shutout, Stanton powers Yanks past Astros 4-0 — New York has taken two of three in a four-game series against Houston. — HOUSTON - Luis Severino pitched a five-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts for his first career complete game, Giancarlo Stanton homered twice and drove in four runs …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
