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.
RELATED:
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 …
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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
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:
AZ Snake Pit and Federal Baseball
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and AZ Snake Pit
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Are the Dodgers more likely to rebound or miss the playoffs?
Discussion:
Associated Press
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and True Blue LA
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 …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Promote Nick Krall To General Manager — The Reds announced this afternoon that assistant general manager Nick Krall has been named the club's new general manager. President of baseball operations Dick Williams will continue to oversee the club's entire baseball operations department, per the announcement.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Red Reporter
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Reds promote Nick Krall to GM — The Cincinnati Reds have promoted Nick Krall to general manager, giving him more responsibilities as the team tries to emerge from a major rebuild. — Krall has been an assistant to Dick Williams, who will remain president of baseball operations and oversee the baseball operations department.
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
Associated Press:
MLB hires former pitcher Chris Young for executive role — NEW YORK — Former pitcher Chris Young has been hired by Major League Baseball as an executive. — Young's title will be Vice President, On-Field Operations, Initiatives & Strategy. The move was announced Thursday, and Young will begin Monday.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Hires Chris Young As VP Of On-Field Operations
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
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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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 …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Evan Longoria: Does anyone want to play in front of 10,000 a night? — Giants infielder Evan Longoria, who left Tampa Bay in a trade to San Francisco in December, says the Rays would probably be better off leaving Tampa Bay, too. — Longoria, 32, was the longest-tenured player in Rays history …
Discussion:
Tampa Bay Times
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.
