Top News:
Associated Press:
Christian Villanueva: Playing MLB game in Mexico ‘dream come true’ — MONTERREY, Mexico — San Diego third baseman Christian Villanueva will become just the third Mexican to play a regular-season major league baseball game on home soil when the Padres begin a weekend series against the Dodgers on Friday.
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Guy Curtright / UPI:
First-place Braves hit home to face Giants — ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are in first place for the first time past April since 2014 and their fans finally get a chance to see one of the reasons why in a home uniform. — Rookie sensation Ronald Acuna Jr. makes his SunTrust Park debut Friday night …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Teheran no-hitter into 7th, Braves blank Mets 11-0 for sweep — NEW YORK — After a three-game wipeout of the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves were flying — and not just because they were heading home. — The first-place Braves — that's right, the NL East-leading Braves …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Amazin' Avenue, Associated Press and Faith and Fear in Flushing
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Matt Harvey-saga can get worse for Mets fans if the Yankees sign him, which Bombers should discuss — For every Mets fan sick of Matt Harvey's act on and off the field — and elated that the former All-Star is being designated for assignment — here is your sobering and perhaps dreaded worst-case scenario …
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets To Designate Matt Harvey — The Mets will designate Matt Harvey tomorrow, GM Sandy Alderson tells reporters including MLB.com's Anthony DiComo (via Twitter). The decision was made after Harvey declined to accept a minor-league assignment — as he has the ability to do given his MLB service time.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, DRaysBay, Deadspin, MLB Daily Dish, Lone Star Ball and Amazin' Avenue
Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
The best and worst moments of Matt Harvey's career with the Mets
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: When Jose Peraza finally gets an off day, Suarez will replace him at shortstop
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
With Miggy on the mend, Detroit Tigers' prospect Grayson Greiner gets call — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was the longest game of Grayson Greiner's life. It was, in a word, miserable. — The Tigers' catching prospect was going about his business on what figured to be a normal game day for Triple …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera frustrated by 10-day DL stint — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — He was a picture of frustration, from his facial expressions to his short answers to the admission that yes, his hamstring felt bad. Very bad. — And a day after Miguel Cabrera left Thursday afternoon's loss …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera could be headed to disabled list
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and Bless You Boys
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Trade Machado now, tracking aces and MLB's next big thing — When does reality become reality? — No, I'm not trying to pose a “Matrix"-style riddle here. That was the question that popped in my mind when Orioles general manager Dan Duquette told the Baltimore Sun …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
RELATED:
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Walk-off homer barely a memory for Trayce Thompson heading into Friday's game — White Sox manager Rick Renteria has a nickname for relievers: ‘Crisis managers.’ (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Trayce Thompson probably would like to dwell a little …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Lankford, Coleman headline newest Cardinals Hall of Fame class — Cardinals outfielder Ray Lankford awaits a pitch in a 2000 game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium. Post-Dispatch photo by Chris Lee. — Vince Coleman rounds third base in Game 3 of the 1985 National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Giants haven't ruled out serious elbow injury as Johnny Cueto seeks second opinion — San Francisco Giants ace Johnny Cueto will see noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday to get his sore pitching elbow evaluated. — Cueto, who leads the majors with an 0.84 ERA …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Jerry Beach / UPI:
Rockies roll into New York to face desperate Mets — NEW YORK — The Colorado Rockies headed to New York this week fueled by the best run their rotation has enjoyed in almost three years. Maybe some of the Rockies' success will rub off on the New York Mets' struggling starting pitchers.
Discussion:
Purple Row
RELATED:
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
NY Mets manager Mickey Callaway confident things will turn around
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Is Diamondbacks-Astros a World Series preview? The D'backs aren't afraid to dream — PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks realize there are still 21 weeks left on the baseball calendar, and early-season leads can melt quicker than a frozen margarita in the sweltering summer months in Phoenix.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and AZ Snake Pit
RELATED:
Associated Press:
FANTASY PLAYS: A week at Coors Field perfect for streaming — For the first time this season, we get a week full of Coors Field games. You'll want to load up on hitters from the Rockies, Angels and Brewers, while avoiding the pitchers in those matchups. Don't worry, though.
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Too long: Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians split lengthy doubleheader — The Indians Game 2 win was the 1,500th victory for Terry Francona, who became the 24th manager to reach the milestone. — CLEVELAND (AP) - The Blue Jays and Indians won't meet again until the first week in September.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …, DRaysBay and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Select Jose Bautista's Contract, Option Preston Tucker — 1:38pm: The Braves have now announced that Bautista's contract has been select. Outfielder Preston Tucker was optioned to Triple-A to open a spot on the active roster for Bautista. — After a blistering start to the season …
Discussion:
Sporting News, MLB Baseball News …, Talking Chop and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
ESPN:
Radical Ideas Series: What if MLB teams could bid for more home games? — Welcome to the third and final installment of the Radical Ideas Series, in which we “fix” baseball not merely by limiting mound visits or even instituting pitch clocks but by revolutionizing the game's competitive structure …
Doug Miller / Associated Press:
Gordon gives Ichiro fitting tribute in Mariners' win vs A's — SEATTLE (AP) - Dee Gordon had a big night on the bases, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run home run and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Thursday night in their first game since Ichiro Suzuki was moved from the roster to the front office.
Tyler Carey / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians designate INF Gio Urshela for assignment — Both Urshela and fellow infielder Erik Gonzalez were out on minor league options, which meant a decision had to be made. — The Indians were forced to say goodbye to one of their most beloved young prospects Friday …
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb experiences setback with left shoulder inflammation — The return of Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb to the lineup will have to wait a little longer. — Manager Torey Lovullo said on Friday that Lamb had been experiencing discomfort in his left shoulder …
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com and The Ringer
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Ben Zobrist to bat leadoff, Javier Baez returns to No. 8 spot against Cardinals — Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward discusses the team's 11-2 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — In the latest attempt to jump-start …
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies rookie Scott Kingery learning on the job after big contract extension — WASHINGTON — Scott Kingery returned to the Phillies' lineup here Friday night, and in so doing, continued his big-league education. — It has been nearly six weeks since Kingery signed a six-year …
