Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' coaching purge back in spotlight with John Mallee's return — Cubs manager Joe Maddon (left) and former hitting coach John Mallee in happier times, right after the Cubs won the NLCS in 2016. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Detroit Free Press:
J.D. Martinez, Red Sox — The buzz: Martinez played four seasons in Detroit, hitting 99 home runs and recording 285 RBIs in a Tigers uniform. Tuesday night, Martinez hit a two-run homer against his former team to help the Red Sox to a 6-0 win. — Oh, and before I forget, that was his 20th home run of the season.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Maria's single leads DSL Brewers to 2-1 win over DSL Cubs2 — , (AP) — Victor Maria hit a run-scoring single in the eighth inning, leading the DSL Brewers to a 2-1 win over the DSL Cubs2 on Wednesday. The DSL Brewers swept the short two-game series with the win.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gari's triple leads DSL Red Sox2 to 10-2 win over DSL Cubs1 — , (AP) — Andres Gari hit a two-run triple in the eighth inning, leading the DSL Red Sox2 to a 10-2 win over the DSL Cubs1 on Wednesday. — The triple by Gari started the scoring in a seven-run inning and gave the DSL Red Sox2 a 3-2 lead.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rodriguez, Cisneros and Contreras shut out DSL Reds, DSL Padres wins 4-0 — , (AP) — Mauricio Rodriguez, Jesus Cisneros and Efrain Contreras combined for a shutout as the DSL Padres topped the DSL Reds 4-0 on Wednesday. — Cisneros (1-0) went two scoreless innings, striking out four to get the win.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Miguel Andujar making an impact along with fellow Yankees rookie Gleyber Torres — TORONTO— The last time the Yankees were in this town, it was the opening weekend of the baseball season. — Neil Walker was the starting second baseman and Brandon Drury started at third.
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Ian Harrison / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Andujar hits first career grand slam, Yankees beat Jays 7-2
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Associated Press, New York Daily News and Bluebird Banter
Harvey Valentine / UPI:
Jonny Venters to make first MLB start as Rays visit Nationals — WASHINGTON — Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Jonny Venters makes his first major league start Wednesday against the Washington Nationals. — Venters, who will be appearing in his 245th game, returned to the majors in April …
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Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Reliever Jonny Venters to make first career start for Rays vs. Nationals
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
For openers for Rays on Wednesday? How about Jonny Venters
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Shelly Anderson / UPI:
Dodgers' Caleb Ferguson to make MLB debut vs. Pirates — The Los Angeles Dodgers, plagued by injuries among their starters, will give left-hander Caleb Ferguson his first major league start Wednesday in the second contest of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
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Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers get back to .500 with 5-0 shutout of Pirates
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers turn to rookie Caleb Ferguson for Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Warren Mayes / Associated Press:
Urena gets 1st win as Marlins snap skid, beat Cards 7-4 — ST. LOUIS (AP) With some help from Miami's hitters, Jose Urena finally got his first win of the season. — Brian Anderson and J.T. Riddle homered to back a shaky Urena, and the Marlins stopped a six-game losing streak …
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Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Marlins pickoff play halts Cardinals momentum — The Marlins said they caught a guy sleeping. Tommy Pham said he was ready; he just needed a big lead. — The result was the same either way: a rare pickoff play at third base and a missed scoring opportunity in a 7-4 Cardinals loss.
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Freeman, Swanson, Markakis homer as Braves rout Padres 14-1 — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Freddie Freeman was a triple shy of the cycle when Atlanta manager Brian Snitker took out his first baseman because the Braves were beating the San Diego Padres so badly. — Freeman was OK with the move …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Janie McCauley / Toronto Sun:
Diamondbacks edge Giants 3-2, spoil Bumgarner's season debut — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Madison Bumgarner's mere presence back on the mound and healthy after all these months meant so much to the San Francisco Giants, even in defeat. — But the big lefty is a perfectionist …
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
10 hyped players who are running out of time to become stars — The MLB draft concludes Wednesday, an exciting and important time for every organization. It's also the annual reminder of how difficult it is to project high school and college players into the future. You know what else is difficult?
Peter Baugh / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals load up on college pitchers in rapid-fire day three of draft — The third day of the MLB Draft moves so fast, that you'll likely miss a pick if you step away from the online telecast. — Follow along for a look at the Cardinals' day three picks: — Round 11 (No. 333 overall): Chris Holba, RHP
ESPN:
Andrelton Simmons says DL is possibility after ankle sprain — Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons suffered a sprained right ankle and could be headed to the disabled list after injuring himself on the dugout steps Tuesday night. — “Nothing is broke, but I sprained it pretty decent …
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Struggling pitchers meet in Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers clash — CLEVELAND — Two struggling pitchers will try to climb out of their slumps Wednesday afternoon as the Cleveland Indians host the Milwaukee Brewers in the second contest of their brief two-game mini-series at Progressive Field.
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Toronto Sun:
Anemic Mets look to break out vs. struggling Orioles — NEW YORK — The starting pitching isn't the problem for the New York Mets. The problem is an offense so anemic it's even managing to cure what has been ailing Baltimore Orioles pitchers all season. — The Orioles will look to continue …
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Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Redbirds hope to cash in by drafting injured players who would have been picked higher — In the movie “The World According to Garp,” the character played by Robin Williams is looking at a house when a plane crashes into it. — He immediately decides to buy the house.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Bluebird Banter
Associated Press:
Jones' homer leads Lexington to 7-4 win over West Virginia — CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Travis Jones hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, leading the Lexington Legends to a 7-4 win over the West Virginia Power in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Reyes felt fatigue and soreness in final rehab start — six days before his big-league return — Cardinals rookie pitcher Alex Reyes, a week removed from his brief return to the major-league rotation, is visiting a specialist in Philadelphia on Wednesday to get a second opinion on the muscle strain around his right (pitching) shoulder.
Scott Richey / News-Gazette:
Brewers draft former Central standout — CHAMPAIGN — Former Champaign Central standout Alec Barger was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday during the second day of the MLB draft. Barger played this past season at Polk State College in Lakeland, Fla., after transferring following one season at Northern Illinois.
