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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

Cubs entering ‘constructive criticism’ phase with Yu Darvish  —  Photos of Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The evaluation period has ended, and the Cubs have seen enough to take the kid gloves off struggling starter Yu Darvish.  —  “Now we're ready to say things …

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 …

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 …

Young's single leads Palm Beach to 4-1 win over St. Lucie  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Andy Young hit a run-scoring single in the first inning, leading the Palm Beach Cardinals to a 4-1 win over the St. Lucie Mets on Friday.  —  The single by Young, part of a two-run inning …

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 …