Mayers will be sidelined a couple of months  —  After Cardinals manager Mike Shildt announced Friday that reliever Mike Mayers, who has a right shoulder lat strain, would be out a “couple of months,” he discussed a role change for Alex Reyes, who had a similar injury last year that cost him the rest of the season.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.