With Cubs clinging to NL Central lead, their rotation remains in a state of flux  —  Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish speaks about his rehab assignment.  August 17, 2018 (Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Even precautionary measures couldn't prevent the Cubs from suffering another setback to their delicate rotation.

Indians' Trevor Bauer has stress fracture in leg, to miss 4-6 weeks  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer, one of the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award, will be out four to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his right leg.

Phillies' Gabe Kapler is like a quarterback - you can always write about him |  Bob Brookover  —  This space was used late last season to endorse Pete Mackanin's continuing presence as the Phillies manager.  That column had so much influence over general manager Matt Klentak that he removed Mackanin …

Colorado cruises in win over Braves  —  ATLANTA — Ian Desmond tripled and drove in five runs, Kyle Freeland pitched six strong innings and the Colorado Rockies coasted to an 11-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.  —  The Rockies have won six of seven, and they're 28-14 since June 28, tops in the NL over that span.

Scherzer picks up 16th win, Nationals beat Marlins 8-2  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Max Scherzer is using all his tools to help keep the Nationals' playoff hopes alive.  —  Scherzer pitched six scoreless innings, doubled and scored twice as the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 8-2 on Friday night for his major league-leading 16th win.

Matt Davidson hitting cleanup for White Sox against Royals — his favorite opponent  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Matt Davidson is looking for a good weekend against the Royals.  He's in the White Sox lineup Friday night against right-hander Jakob Junis, off whom he homered twice April 26 in Kansas City.

Injury to Jeremy Hellickson latest blow to Nats' pitching staff  —  WASHINGTON — The struggling Washington Nationals have lost another pitcher to injury.  —  Starter Jeremy Hellickson will be placed on the disabled list after an MRI revealed a sprain to his right wrist area.

Orioles fall 50 games below .500, incredible 50½ games behind Red Sox  —  The 2017 World Series teams are struggling with injuries and depth.  Can they make it back to the postseason?  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  The Baltimore Orioles' miserable season struck a new low.

Why Urena hitting Acuna needs to be a wake-up call for MLB  —  Headhunting, knockdowns, chin music, brushbacks, rib-roasting — the practice has been around so long, there are all sorts of terms for it.  In the 21st century, there is only word we need: unacceptable.

Angels' revolving rotation of pitchers fails again in 6-4 loss to Rangers  —  Rougned Odor and the Texas Rangers quickly got after yet another new Angels pitcher.  —  Odor's two-run single capped a five-run outburst in the second inning off recently acquired Odrisamer Despaigne …

Bottom 8th Balls: Strikes: Outs: … Bottom of 8:  —  Mariners eighth.  Rosscup pitching.  Haniger grounded out, third baseman Turner to first baseman Muncy.  Canó flied out to right fielder K.Hernández.  —  Runs: 0, Hits: 0  —  Top of 8:  —  Dodgers eighth.  Herrmann in as catcher.

Last Slide  —  SAN DIEGO - Former Diamondbacks prospect Touki Toussaint made his major-league debut this week, tossing six innings of one-run ball for the Atlanta Braves.  Among those following Toussaint from afar was Padres bullpen coach Doug Bochtler.  —  “To watch him go out there and take the ball …

Cardinals close in on Brewers in wild-card race  —  Cardinals' eight-game winning streak ended Thursday night, there was a sense among the players that the loss wouldn't blunt their momentum.  —  That sense was proved correct Friday night when they got six shutout innings from

Astros activate George Springer from the disabled list  —  , Houston Chronicle  —  Houston Astros George Springer during batting practice before the start of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, August 14, 2018, in Houston.  —  2 of 10  —  Houston Astros George Springer during batting practice …

Goldeyes hurler better than stats show  —  Much like left-hander Kevin McGovern, Goldeyes' starter Alex Boshers has pitched better than his record or ERA might indicate.  —  Boshers fell to 3-9 following a loss on Tuesday at Gary SouthShore, but has turned in quality starts …

Last Slide  —  SAN DIEGO - Twice in the early innings on Thursday night, a Padres hitter scorched a ball to left field, and twice the Diamondbacks' David Peralta raced to make a play, the first ball taking him into the gap, the second one back toward the wall.

Brandon Nimmo not in Mets lineup Friday, but avoids DL with finger injury  —  Mickey Callaway provides an update on Brandon Nimmo's index finger Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  PHILADELPHIA — An MRI on Brandon Nimmo's left index finger revealed no structural damage …

Aaron Boone: New York Yankees need 'to start clicking like we know we're capable of'  —  Yankees manager Aaron Boone talks about the state of his club before a home weekend series against Toronto Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera  —  NEW YORK - There are 40 games to go before October …