Mets chase Wainwright in fourth, lead Cardinals 4-1  —  The New York Mets chased Adam Wainwright from the game in the fourth inning as they scored four runs off the Cardinals starter and missed out on an opportunity to blow the game open.  —  Wainwright allowed eight hits and walked three while throwing 86 pitches.

As Marlins attempt to fix their hitting woes, a look at the roots of their struggles  —  It's no secret that the Miami Marlins have been one of the worst offensive teams in Major League Baseball to start the season.  —  Through 20 games, the Marlins (5-15) have scored just 51 runs (last in MLB) …

Baseball notebook: White Sox's Anderson suspended for language  —  Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson didn't go into detail Friday about what he said during a bench-clearing fracas with Kansas City on Wednesday after a report that he directed a racial slur at Royals pitcher Brad Keller.

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

Mike Trout's homer is overshadowed by Angels' Cody Allen in loss to Mariners  —  The pitch floated right into Mike Trout's wheelhouse, an 80-mph changeup that barely grazed the bottom of the zone.  Trout unleashed a mighty swing on the ball and sent it soaring 428 feet to center field.

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 …

'Please, Danny, don't die on my watch': An oral history of a near-death in the dugout  —  It was “just another day in White Sox baseball.”  Until it wasn't.  —  When Danny Farquhar arrived at Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field on April 20, 2018, he was a journeyman middle reliever who'd pitched for four teams in seven years.

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 …

As Royals bullpen tries to bounce back, some key pieces still adjusting to new roles  —  The daily challenge of managing a major-league bullpen doesn't start nor does it stop with the decision to take the ball from pitcher and hand it to another.  —  For Royals manager Ned Yost and his staff …

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

FANTASY FARE: Struggling rotation aces starting to come around  —  This particular column is all about pitching.  Bad pitching.  Lots of it, and from good pitchers.  If you're befuddled by how poorly your ace is pitching so far, join the club.  We've talked about Chris Sale's ugly …

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.

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.