Top News:
Associated Press:
Phillies demote Zac Curtis, going with right-handed pitchers only — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have demoted their only left-handed pitcher, optioning reliever Zac Curtis to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalling right-hander Jake Thompson. — The move Thursday left the Phillies with 13 right-handed pitchers on the 25-man roster.
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Ruben Amaro Jr. wishes he'd started Phillies' rebuild sooner — Ruben Amaro Jr. still has his notes. — Someday, maybe if he ever writes a book, he might divulge them. For now, though, he doesn't mind sharing that he had serious discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers …
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies stay strong at home; Tommy Hunter talks etiquette | Extra Innings — Among the best characteristics of the Phillies teams that won five consecutive division titles from 2007-11 was their sheer dominance at home. During those glory days, they went 246-162 at Citizens Bank Park …
Associated Press:
Carlos Santana drives in 5, Phillies beat Giants 11-3 — PHILADELPHIA — Carlos Santana's line drives are starting to find open ground. — Santana had three hits and five RBI, Nick Pivetta struck out seven in five scoreless innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 11-3 Wednesday night.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Phillies Nation
Stephen Pianovich / UPI:
Blach, Giants aim to avoid sweep vs. Phillies — Ty Blach is coming off his best start of the season. The San Francisco Giants could use another strong outing from the left-hander as they try to avoid a sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.
Jack Magruder / UPI:
Nationals open four-game series against Diamondbacks — PHOENIX — Perennial MVP candidates Bryce Harper and Paul Goldschmidt will meet once again in a four-game series at Chase Field this weekend beginning on Thursday. — This time, with a twist. — Harper is the Washington Nationals' new leadoff hitter.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers … LOS ANGELES - Through his five innings on Wednesday night, Patrick Corbin did not exhibit good command. He could not generate his normal velocity. And he was unable to get the Los Angeles Dodgers to offer at his best pitch the way other teams have for most of the season.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and AZ Snake Pit
Doug Padilla / UPI:
Reds face Dodgers while awaiting Harvey's arrival — LOS ANGELES - Tyler Mahle will get the start for the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, but all eyes will be searching for a different pitcher on the roster. — Newly-acquired right-hander Matt Harvey is expected to join …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Associated Press:
Is Fortnite to blame for David Price's carpal tunnel syndrome? — Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price was diagnosed Wednesday with carpal tunnel syndrome after twice experiencing numbness in his pitching hand this season. — Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed the diagnosis prior …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Piscotty's return an emotional night — Wherever he went on the field, Stephen Piscotty felt his mother's presence. — Two days after Gretchen Piscotty died from Lou Gehrig's disease, her son was back at work for the Oakland Athletics. Full of sadness, but enveloped in love.
ESPN:
David Price expects to be OK for Saturday start vs. Blue Jays — Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher David Price says he expects to start Saturday against the Blue Jays in Toronto. — “I'm pitching for the rest of the season,” he told reporters at Yankee Stadium before Thursday night's game against the Yankees.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Sorry White Sox fans, but there's no guarantee your rebuild will turn out like the Cubs' — Cubs' Anthony Rizzo on upcoming series vs. the White Sox: “You can't take them for granted.” (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — As James Shields looked around …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Too early to determine a winner in Jose Quintana trade with White Sox, says Joe Maddon
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jake Seiner / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gardy Party! Yankees rally past Red Sox 9-6 for 17-1 surge — New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, left, congratulates right fielder Aaron Judge, center, after Judge made a diving catch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in New York, Wednesday, May 9, 2018.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Over the Monster, Beyond the Box Score and Baseball Prospectus
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Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gordo: Cards prospects Flaherty, Reyes dominate in minors — Cardinals pitching has been just fine this season. Even after ugly 6-0 and 7-1 losses to the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium, the club's 3.39 earned-run average is third-best in the majors. — And more pitching will always a phone call away this season.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Former Cardinals slugger Adams raking, relishing role with Washington
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gyorko is having productive at-bats
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and FOX2now.com
Larry Millson / UPI:
Mariners aim to stymie Blue Jays' sudden surge — TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have had trouble scoring recently. — And for the longest time Wednesday night, it appeared they were on their way to another loss and would be trying to avoid being swept in their three-game series …
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Alex Butler / UPI:
New York Mets bat out of order, cost themselves rally … The New York Mets batted out of order during a 2-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. — The miscue came in the first inning Wednesday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. New York started the game with Brandon Nimmo striking …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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UPI:
Many Miles later, Cardinals' Mikolas faces Padres — SAN DIEGO — When the Padres traded right-handed reliever Miles Mikolas to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Nov. 25, 2013, some members of the San Diego family felt a mistake had been made. — Mikolas was 25 at the time and a bit raw, but the Padres loved the ceiling.
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Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Iowan Tony Watson on Giants: ‘I thought it was a special group and something I wanted to be a part of.’ — Iowan Tony Watson saw what kind of team the San Francisco Giants were putting together during the offseason and realized he wanted to be a part of it.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Hires Chris Young As VP Of On-Field Operations — Former MLB hurler Chris Young has joined Major League Baseball as vice president of on-field operations, initiatives, and strategy, per a league announcement. It seems fair to presume, then, that his playing days are over.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
