Top News:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … The best-case scenario did not present itself for the Diamondbacks on Friday. With a signing deadline come and gone, they were unable to lock up their first-round pick, infielder Matt McLain, who instead will honor his commitment to UCLA.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … Outfielder Jon Jay's sliding catch of a Cory Spangenberg foul ball in the eighth inning on Thursday night prompted an inquiry from his longtime teammate, Daniel Descalso. — “I asked him if that's his new signature play,” Descalso said.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks draft history: First round picks … The Diamondbacks will not sign their top pick, infielder Matt McLain, sources confirmed Friday, and instead will receive a compensatory pick in next year's draft. — Details remain sketchy, but it appears the club did not meet McLain's demands …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Jack Magruder / UPI:
Arizona Diamondbacks try to reverse luck against San Diego Padres — PHOENIX — For the first time this season, the Arizona Diamondbacks had their projected big four in the lineup Thursday, although that did not keep the San Diego Padres from winning the first contest of a four-game series.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
MLB.com's Duquette: Reds' Gennett, Iglesias among 10 top trade targets — A pair of Cincinnati Reds - second baseman Scooter Gennett and closer Raisel Iglesias - are among 10 of “the likeliest to receive considerable attention given where contending clubs' needs stand today,” …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Dilson Herrera promoted to Cincinnati Reds roster, adding solid bat to the Reds' bench — CHICAGO - Battling injuries during the start of Spring Training and placed on waivers in March, Reds infielder Dilson Herrera admitted there were moments where he questioned if he would ever return to the Major Leagues.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Sonny Gray shouldn't start another game following latest Yankees disaster — TORONTO - It's time for the Yankees to remove Sonny Gray from the rotation. — Aaron Boone said after Gray's latest implosion on Friday night that the atrocious righty is expected to take his next turn on Wednesday in Baltimore …
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
On the NY Yankees radar, J.A. Happ set to give them a close-up look on Saturday
On the NY Yankees radar, J.A. Happ set to give them a close-up look on Saturday
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson doesn't think hit-by-pitch was related to April fracas with Astros — Tim Anderson has his wrist checked by White Sox trainer Herm Schneider and manager Rick Renteria against the Astros on Thursday, July 5, 2018 in Houston. (Eric Christian Smith/AP) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
White Sox try to even series with Astros
White Sox try to even series with Astros
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Crawfish Boxes and South Side Sox
Associated Press:
MLB: Cubs prospect Oscar De La Cruz gets 80-game drug suspension — Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Oscar De La Cruz has been suspended 80 games under Major League Baseball's drug program. — The commissioner's office said Friday that the 23-year-old right-hander tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic and masking agent.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Reinstates Jenrry Mejia For 2019 Season
MLB Reinstates Jenrry Mejia For 2019 Season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
What does Detroit Tigers' Shane Greene's prognosis mean for his trade value? — The Detroit Tigers received good news on the Shane Greene injury front on Friday. — An MRI scan on Greene's right shoulder showed no structural damage, only inflammation which manager Ron Gardenhire termed …
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Associated Press:
Carlos Carrasco activated off Indians' DL for Friday's game against the Athletics — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have activated Carlos Carrasco from the disabled list to make his first start since June 16. — The right-hander's return gets Cleveland closer to full strength …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Acquire James Hoyt
Associated Press:
Epstein says Cubs won't rush Darvish, Bryant near return — CHICAGO — Theo Epstein says Yu Darvish is feeling better and he is optimistic the Japanese right-hander will make a “solid contribution” this season. — But the Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations stopped short …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies climb atop NL East with blowout win over Pirates — PITTSBURGH — Gabe Kapler will seek out one of his players, relay a message he wants the entire team to hear, and then watch it spread through the clubhouse. — Before Friday's 17-5 romp over the Pirates, the Phillies manager …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Willson Contreras floored by support in NL All-Star voting — Cubs catcher Willson Contreras celebrates scoring a run against the Reds on Friday, July 6, 2018 at Wrigley Field. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Regardless of the final results …
Associated Press:
Indians reliever Andrew Miller progressing, but won't pitch before All-Star break — CLEVELAND — Andrew Miller won't help the Indians until after the All-Star break. — The excellent late-inning reliever, who pushed Cleveland through the postseason in 2016, has made progress …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Ex-USF ace Shane McClanahan signs — NEW YORK — A change of mind during discussions late Thursday led to a deadline day deal for USF LHP Shane McClanahan and the Rays. — The No. 31 overall pick signed for just about slot value at $2,230,100 to start his pro career rather …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Avisail Garcia takes businesslike approach to trade-deadline rumors — Chicago Tribune — White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia doesn't really care about hearing his name in trade rumors, and he expects it to happen again as the July 31 trade deadline nears.
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Umpires rally around Sanford peer after infection costs him his legs — Randy Harvey, a renowned umpire who has called games for more than 3 decades in college and the major leagues, had both his legs amputated after a mysterious illness that doctors still haven't determined the source.
Harvey Valentine / UPI:
Stunned Marlins try to regroup vs. Nationals — WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals will try to build off an historic win when they host the Miami Marlins on Friday night. — Washington fell behind Miami 9-0 in the top of the fourth inning Thursday night but rallied for an improbable 14-12 victory …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
Tyler Saladino and / MLB Baseball News …:
Brewers make five-run inning hold, edge Braves — Jesus Aguilar in a five-run third inning and hung on to beat the visiting — Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Friday at Miller Park, extending its winning streak to five games. — Saladino hit a two-run homer, his fourth, and Aguilar delivered a three-run shot …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Ashley Varela / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Ronald Acuña exits game with left groin tightness — Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. exited Friday's game against the — Brewers after sustaining a groin injury in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Acuña chopped the ball back toward third base, where it was ruled an infield single after
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
A July 4th attendance boom and MLB's next big thing — How was your Fourth of July? What did you do? I'm curious because, after all, it's the heart of summer and most of you had the day off, and in today's world, there are countless ways to spend leisure time. — You know what a heck of a lot of people did Wednesday?
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds' Lorenzen would ‘absolutely’ participate in Home Run Derby at MLB All-Star Game — Would Reds relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who hit three home runs in a week in late June and has homered five times in 60 career at-bats for Cincinnati, participate in the Home Run Derby on July 16 if invited?
Steve Schuster / Toronto Sun:
Goldeyes makes series of roster moves — Goldeyes' manager Rick Forney continues to work overtime in an attempt to help stabilize his roster. — Winnipeg totaled six roster moves prior to Thursday's series-opener at Fargo-Moorhead, including the additions of shortstop JJ Gould and right-handed pitcher Pete Perez.