Cards rally falls short in loss to Mets at Busch  —  A dreary game, fraught with far too many pitches by both staffs and some suspect defense, brightened considerably for Cardinals fans when rookie outfielder Lane Thomas homered, belatedly, in his first big-league at-bat as he pinch hit in the sixth inning Friday at Busch Stadium.

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 …

Yoan Moncada stays hot with a long home run as the White Sox top the Tigers 7-3  —  Yoan Moncada hit a mammoth home run in the first inning, and the White Sox broke open the game with five runs in the seventh on the way to a 7-3 victory over the Tigers on Friday night at Comerica Park.

Mets' deGrom (elbow) heads to IL, will have MRI  —  ST. LOUIS — New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is being put on the injured list and returning to New York for an MRI on his elbow after the NL Cy Young Award winner reported a sore right arm.  —  “He came in on the off day and played …

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 …

The Marlins, ‘an easy team to pitch to,’ fire their hitting coach after slow 2019 start  —  Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill announced Friday night that the team has fired hitting coach Mike Pagliarulo after the team's lethargic offensive production over the first 20 games of the season.

Andrew McCutchen injury update: Phillies outfielder hurt on swing  —  Colorado Rockies v Philadelphia Phillies  —  Injuries are piling up for the Phillies.  —  Outfielder Andrew McCutchen left Philadelphia's matchup with Colorado on Friday after apparently hurting his left on a swing.

Verlander, Astros win 7-2 at Rangers after 2 quick homers  —  Alex Bregman homered on consecutive pitches in the first inning,  —  Justin Verlander pitched seven solid innings and the  —  Texas Rangers 7-2 on Friday night.  —  George Springer doubled twice for the Astros …

Blue Jays' Stroman shuts down Athletics for 1st win of year  —  Marcus Stroman struck out six pitching into the ninth, Brandon Drury homered, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 on Friday night to snap a seven-game losing streak in the series

Ohtani joins team BP for first time since surgery  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani's drives into the seats at Angel Stadium came with an audience on Friday, when the Los Angeles Angels' two-way standout took another step toward his return from Tommy John surgery.

Lyles, Marte, González injured in Pirates' win over Giants  —  Jordan Lyles cruised through six innings before taking a line drive off his pitching hand, Starling Marte and Erik González were also pulled following a collision in the field, and the short-handed Pittsburgh Pirates beat the San Francisco Giants 4-1

Off-season talk with an ex coach who died two weeks later fueled this lefty's turnaround  —  Every player who comes to the major leagues for the first time has a story to tell, and left-hander Brett Martin is no different.  —  Recalled for the first time Friday from Triple A Nashville …

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 …