MLB Weekend Watch: Predictions, questions for all the top games  —  The defending champion Red Sox head to Tampa still mired in a season-long slump.  Fresh off an onslaught of the Cardinals, Christian Yelich leads the Brewers against the Dodgers in a rematch of last week's series.

Mets' Jacob deGrom returns to New York for tests after experiencing elbow discomfort  —  Jacob deGrom will be sent back to New York because of some elbow discomfort, as well as fatigue from strep throat, the Mets said before Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

White Sox' Tim Anderson hit with 1-game ban for crime of getting beaned while black … What exactly did Tim Anderson do to deserve a one-game ban?  —  The White Sox shortstop was the victim of a fastball to the butt in retaliation for the high baseball crime of celebrating a home run earlier this week.

Arizona Diamondbacks fall to Chicago Cubs 5-1 in chilly afternoon game  —  CHICAGO - Kyle Hendricks struck out a season-high 11 over seven scoreless innings in his first win, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Friday.  —  Hendricks (1-3) became the third consecutive Cubs starter …

Yankees need to light a spark against Royals this weekend  —  NEW YORK — Suddenly, the New York Yankees are searching for a new spark, with CC Sabathia set to make his second start of the season Friday night.  —  Sabathia is scheduled to oppose Kansas City Royals right-hander Jakob Junis …

Red Sox trade catcher Blake Swihart to Diamondbacks  —  Blake Swihart has a new home.  —  The Red Sox traded the 27-year-old catcher to the Diamondbacks on Friday for minor league outfielder Marcus Wilson. … Swihart reunites with manager Torey Lovullo and GM Mike Hazen …

Nick Anderson was a fringe player to make the Marlins' roster.  Now, he's setting records  —  At this time last month, Nick Anderson was considered a relative long shot to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster.  He was in a battle for one of the last few bullpen spots as spring training entered its final days.

Rays add pitcher Casey Sadler to bullpen, put Mike Zunino on paternity list in series of moves  —  Pitcher Emilio Pagan optioned to Triple-A, catcher Nick Ciuffo called up.  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays added right-hander Casey Sadler to their bullpen and placed catcher Mike Zunino on the paternity list in a series of moves.

Indians prospect Benson hits 4 HRs in A-ball  —  Cleveland Indians prospect Will Benson hit four home runs for Class-A Lake County on Thursday night.  —  He's the first minor leaguer to hit four homers in a game since 2014, when Yankees prospect Mike Ford hit four for Class-A Charleston …

Martinez says ‘I feel great’ after throwing at Busch Stadium  —  Carlos Martinez continued his rehabilitation Friday at Busch Stadium by playing catch and making 30 to 40 throws from about 70 feet, he said.  —  He will have a bullpen session Saturday, when he plans to throw about 30 pitches as he recovers from a shoulder strain.

Kyle Hendricks looks to get out of rut as Cubs face Diamondbacks at windy Wrigley Field  —  The Cubs played the Diamondbacks Friday at Wrigley Field.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Daniel Descalso will lead off and start at second base Friday as the Cubs begin a three-game series against the Diamondbacks.

The Rays are once again out ahead of baseball — and the AL East  —  ST. PETERSBURG - This isn't funny anymore.  —  For the past couple of years, we've been making fun of the Tampa Bay Rays for trying to re-invent the game with all their unconventional analytic gimmickry …

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker one of the best in MLB in late-inning production  —  (Photo: Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports)  —  CHICAGO — Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said his late-game success has been nice, but within the numbers he sees an area ripe for improvement.

Pete Alonso would love to get a crack at Home Run Derby in Cleveland  —  If they asked, the Mets' rookie first baseman “absolutely” would like to be involved and said doing the Derby is something he has long thought about.  —  PHILADELPHIA — The question was going to come eventually, so mid-April seems as good a time as any.

MLB Headlines  —  WASHINGTON (AP) Now this is what the Washington Nationals were looking for when they plunked down $140 million to add Patrick Corbin to the rotation.  —  Corbin took a one-hitter into the eighth inning to earn his first win with Washington, and the Nationals beat …

Yankees Sign Logan Morrison  —  3:20pm: The Yankees have announced the signing.  —  11:16am: ESPN's Jeff Passan tweets that Morrison's deal comes with a July 1 opt-out and a $1MM base salary at the MLB level (though that salary would presumably be pro-rated).

Robert Stephenson, pitching well out of Cincinnati Reds' bullpen, lets go of expectations  —  LOS ANGELES - There was no moment during the spring when Robert Stephenson suddenly gained more confidence on the mound.  He just knew he was running out of time to prove himself.