Top News:
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
What does being in first place on June 1 mean? — As baseball enters June, the Red Sox, Indians, Astros, Braves, Brewers and Rockies might feel like they're sitting pretty, holding the division lead as the season enters the summer months. — But the longevity of that divisional prowess is not a given.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Red Sox release Hanley Ramirez — HOUSTON — The Boston Red Sox have released Hanley Ramirez, a week after designating him for assignment. — The AL East leaders made the move before playing at Houston on Friday night. The Red Sox are responsible for the $15.25 million remaining on his contract …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Correa's 2-run shot helps Astros over Red Sox 4-2 — HOUSTON (AP) - Carlos Correa snapped an 0 for 10 slump with a two-run homer in the first and Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick had an RBI each to help the Houston Astros to a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Minor League Ball, Over the Monster, MLB Baseball News … and The Crawfish Boxes
Eric KarabellESPN Senior / ESPN:
Karablog: What to do with Clayton Kershaw — The only thing that seems to be able to derail Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, other than the occasional October outing, as one is certainly obligated to point out, is injury. The team's ace — or is that Ross Stripling now? …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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J.P. Hoornstra / Orange County Register:
Clayton Kershaw re-injures his back in Dodgers' loss to Phillies, will have MRI on Friday
Clayton Kershaw re-injures his back in Dodgers' loss to Phillies, will have MRI on Friday
Discussion:
Daily Breeze and DodgerBlue.com
DOUG PADILLA (Associated Press) / MLB Baseball News …:
Nola shuts down Dodgers as Phillies spoil Kershaws return
Nola shuts down Dodgers as Phillies spoil Kershaws return
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers will look for relief from the start in Colorado
Dodgers will look for relief from the start in Colorado
Discussion:
Purple Row and DodgerBlue.com
Stephanie Apstein / Sports Illustrated:
The Control Pitcher: As Free Agency Looms, Will Clayton Kershaw Win It All in L.A.?
The Control Pitcher: As Free Agency Looms, Will Clayton Kershaw Win It All in L.A.?
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Part-time play hasn't limited Bader, Cards' new full-fledged WAR leader — ST. LOUIS • With more than 40 transactions this past month involving 23 different players and more than half of the 40-man roster the Cardinals started the month with, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has had plenty …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — It was, in a word, impressive. — Most series wins are for the Detroit Tigers. But this one, over a team considered to be one of the top-heavy American League's best, in a four-game set, counted as their most impressive of the season. — The Tigers — without Miguel Cabrera …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Blue Jays say good riddance to May, face Tigers
Blue Jays say good riddance to May, face Tigers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Why the Rays keep trading with the Mariners — SEATTLE — Seeing Alex Colome and Denard Span in Seattle home whites this weekend is the latest product of the relationship between the Rays and Mariners that seems to be one of the coziest in the game. — Besides the cracks …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Mets, after waiting quite long to place Yoenis Cespedes on DL, now seem to be rushing him back — Sandy Alderson had sounded the alarm on Thursday, and Mickey Callaway doubled down one day later. — The Mets desperately need Yoenis Cepedes to return soon from the strained hip flexor …
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Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Votto: Letterman, Seinfeld ‘incorrect in their assumptions’ — Joey Votto's sense of humor is gold, Jerry! Gold! — Votto responded to the stories David Letterman and Jerry Seinfeld told about their encounters with the Cincinnati Reds All-Star first baseman on Letterman's Netflix show …
Discussion:
USA Today
Associated Press:
Brewers starter Zach Davies heads back to disabled list — MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers have placed starting pitcher Zach Davies on the 10-day disabled list with right rotator cuff inflammation and recalled first baseman-outfielder Ji-Man Choi from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Ten players who should be first-time All-Stars — Not only has Major League Baseball welcomed wave after wave of young, exciting talent into its player ranks in recent seasons, but science and technology advances — combined with testing conventional thinking — are allowing more veteran players to remake and improve themselves.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Rockies reinstate DJ LeMahieu, place David Dahl on DL — DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have placed outfielder David Dahl on the 10-day disabled list with a broken right foot and reinstated second baseman DJ LeMahieu. — LeMahieu was in the starting lineup Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers and batting leadoff.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Homer Bailey's demotion is only the first move with Cincinnati Reds starting rotation — Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani had a rough second outing in spring training Sunday, allowing three earned runs on five hits in two innings against the Kansas City Royals The Enquirer/Adam Baum
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball roundup: Newcomb dazzles as Braves beat Nats — Sean Newcomb pitched seven strong innings for his sixth straight win, leading the Atlanta Braves back into first place with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Washington Nationals on Thursday night. — In the start of a four-game series between …
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
5 things about the Braves' series-opening win vs. the Nationals
5 things about the Braves' series-opening win vs. the Nationals
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Vlad Jr. fever, the clutch factor and MLB's next big thing — The baseball world waits impatiently for the arrival of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. With each homer, with each day ending with a batting average north of .400, the impatience grows. Yet the Toronto Blue Jays make us wait — and that's fine.
Associated Press:
Cruz homer sparks Mariners to 6-1 win over Rangers — SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have been waiting for Nelson Cruz to get going. They have been waiting for Dee Gordon to return from the disabled list. And they had been waiting for a victory after two losses at home.
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Lindor's pair of homers leads Indians past Twins 9-8 — MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins were surging into the eighth inning after erasing Cleveland's eight-run lead, chasing what would have been a club-record comeback. — Ah, but Francisco Lindor still had another at-bat, and that's all the Indians needed to regain control.
Associated Press:
MLB hits top strikeouts in May, reversing trend in April — NEW YORK — Hits exceeded strikeouts across Major League Baseball in May after a historic number of whiffs in April. — This marks a return to form. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there were 7,033 hits and 6,971 strikeouts in May.
Associated Press:
Russell Wilson joins Portland Major League Baseball drive — PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, the singer Ciara, have joined the effort to bring Major League Baseball to Portland. — The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Portland Diamond Project …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Brewers' return to South Side rekindles memories of a once-heated rivalry — Chicago Tribune — Brewers owner Mark Attanasio tried to prevent Cubs fans from taking over Miller Park this year, approving a presale of tickets to Cubs game to Wisconsin residents only.
Discussion:
South Side Sox