Struggling Gary Sanchez to return to Yankees lineup Thursday after two-game absence  —  Gary Sanchez's break lasted a total of two games.  After sitting out the Yankees' 5-4 loss Wednesday to the Nationals, Aaron Boone said the struggling catcher will return to the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Rays.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates … After the pitch crossed the plate, right-hander Zack Greinke sort of froze.  So did catcher Jeff Mathis.  Both wanted the call.  They didn't get it.  Later, in the aftermath of a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon …

Los Angeles Angels' hot Mike Trout tries to prevent sweep by Seattle Mariners  —  Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout entered his team's three-game series in Seattle mired in a 2-for-19 slump with no extra-base hits, no RBIs and seven strikeouts in his previous five games.  —  Consider that mini-slump a thing of the past.

Donaldson may have Buffalo rehab stint before returning to Jays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — He is taking batting practice with the big boys, will soon be running the bases, but before he rejoins the Blue Jays it appears as though Josh Donaldson may pay first pay a visit to Buffalo.

Next Slide  —  The Rally Goose was thought to be dead.  But Wednesday night at Comerica Park, it was alive and well.  —  Before the start of the eighth inning, with the Detroit Tigers trailing 2-1, one fan dressed in orange stood behind home plate waving his arms as if he were a goose himself.

Baltimore bar offering free shots when slumping Chris Davis records a hit  —  Looking to drink those sorrows away Orioles fans?  —  At 19-47 — the worst record in baseball — a bar in Baltimore is offering free shots for whenever Chris Davis gets a hit.  —  Now before fans begin flocking …

With Donald Trump in his corner, Diamondbacks' Clay Buchholz back to his old ways  —  PHOENIX — Clay Buchholz, talking quietly about his friend in the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse, slowly raises his index finger to his mouth, and in a soft whisper, says, “Shhh!”

Desmond, Anderson help Rockies beat Phillies 7-2, end slide  —  Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in a five-run fourth inning,  —  Tyler Anderson pitched seven strong innings and the  —  Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 on Wednesday night to end a five-game losing streak.

MLB: Yankees aim to boost rotation  —  Hal Steinbrenner says his New York Yankees may need a starting pitching upgrade if they're going to reach their first World Series since 2009.  —  Steinbrenner, the Yankees managing general partner, said Wednesday the club will explore the trade market for an arm …

Game Day: Arizona Diamondbacks play host to New York Mets  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks welcome the New York Mets to Chase Field for a weekend series.  Follow this page for scoring updates, pitching updates, news and notes.  —  READ MORE:  —  Thursday's game  —  Mets at Diamondbacks

Matt Kemp, Robinson Chirinos tossed after collision at plate  —  Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos were both ejected from Wednesday night's game at Dodger Stadium after a collision at the plate caused both benches to clear.

Adrian Beltre passes Ichiro for most hits from a foreign-born player in MLB history  —  Adrian Beltre recorded his 3,090th career MLB hit,  —  most ever by a foreign-born player, in the fourth inning of Wednesday night's game between the Rangers and the  —  Dodgers.

A frustrated Odubel Herrera isn't sure what's wrong  —  Gabe Kapler has watched each of Odubel Herrera's at-bats this season from his dugout perch just 30 feet from home plate and is pretty sure he knows why Herrera has fallen into a month-long slump.  —  “I'm very confident it's a timing thing,” Kapler said.

Iowa native Colin Rea trying to prove to Padres he belongs in big leagues again  —  Even Colin Rea wondered if he'd ever be the same.  —  When the Iowa native struggled to recover from some of his bullpen sessions in spring training, Rea would sometimes worry that all the injuries he'd suffered …