Top News:
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Young fan struck by foul ball during Astros-Cubs game — A foul ball struck by Cubs center fielder Albert Almora, Jr. during the fourth inning hit a small child along the third-base line at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday night, causing a stoppage in the game and a sobering scene.
Discussion:
NESN.com, UPI, NPR, Chicago Tribune, MLB Baseball News … and USA Today
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB parks need full protective netting before it's too late — HOUSTON — Look at her face. Look at the little girl, orange bow in her hair, fear in her eyes, pain and suffering evident. Look at her. Really look at her, no matter how difficult it may be.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Crawfish Boxes
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Cubs' Albert Almora overcome with emotion after foul ball hits child in stands — Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora reacted as any parent might when a foul ball he hit in Wednesday night's game against the Houston Astros struck a young girl in the stands.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wacha's route back to rotation is through relief — PHILADELPHIA — While the Cardinals are still figuring out how and when to use Michael Wacha in his new role as a reliever, they do have a place in mind for where they'd like see to this turn through the bullpen take him.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cratering Cardinals can't play much worse than they do in brutal loss to Phillies — Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows the flight of the ball after hitting a home run off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Genesis Cabrera during the third inning of Wednesday's game. (AP Photo)
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rolling bands of severe weather force another delay for Cardinals, Phillies
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As Cabrera makes major-league debut, Molina yields to Wieters, rests injured hand
As Cabrera makes major-league debut, Molina yields to Wieters, rests injured hand
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Report: MLB sets first regular-season game at Globe Life Field. When? Who is Rangers' foe? — The first MLB game at Globe Life Field next year will be a March 23 preseason exhibition between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals. — It now appears the Rangers have a first game at their new ballpark that counts.
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Dominic Smith makes first start of year in left field — LOS ANGELES — Dominic Smith jogged out to left field with a renewed sense of purpose on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. — Smith made his first start of the year in left field for Game 3 between the Dodgers and the Mets on the West Coast.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Joe Kay / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Josh Bell homers again, Pirates beat Reds 7-2 for split — Pirates record with his 12th homer in May, and Pittsburgh stopped — Derek Dietrich's home run spree Wednesday, beating the — Cincinnati Reds 7-2 for a split of their four-game series. — Bell's three-run homer tied Jason Bay's mark from May 2006.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, baseballmusings.com, Red Reporter and Cincinnati.com
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster John Wehner rips Derek Dietrich for home run celebrations — Derek Dietrich has done a lot of damage against the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, hitting seven home runs in nine games against them. He drilled three homers to right field during the Reds' 11-6 victory …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
ChiSox employee on viral 1st pitch: ‘It was scary’ — CHICAGO — Mary Ruich anticipated control issues. — “I knew it wasn't going to be good, but I thought I'd be close,” she said Wednesday. “It was scary.” — The rookie right-hander threw one of the most wayward ceremonial …
RELATED:
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
White Sox pull out late victory to sweep Royals
White Sox pull out late victory to sweep Royals
Discussion:
Royals Review and South Side Sox
Dean Reynolds / CBS News:
Chicago White Sox employee's ceremonial opening pitch goes wrong
Chicago White Sox employee's ceremonial opening pitch goes wrong
Discussion:
CBS Chicago, South Side Sox, MLB Baseball News …, TODAY.com and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Alfaro has career-high 4 hits as Marlins beat Giants 4-2 — Marlins hand San Francisco seventh consecutive loss … MIAMI - Jorge Alfaro has put an 0-for-20 skid behind him and been a catalyst for the Marlins in their recent surge. — Alfaro had a career-high four hits and the Miami Marlins handed …
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros send prospect Forrest Whitley to minor league injured list with shoulder fatigue — Amid an awful start to his Class AAA season, Forrest Whitley was placed on the minor league injured list with right shoulder fatigue on Wednesday, general manager Jeff Luhnow said.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
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Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros' Carlos Correa placed on injured list with fractured rib
Astros' Carlos Correa placed on injured list with fractured rib
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Crawfish Boxes and UPI
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Inside the Willy Adames at-bat that won game for Rays — Having Kevin Kiermaier intentionally walked in front of him made Adames even more “excited” for the opportunity, which came in the 11th. — ST. PETERSBURG - The next time Willy Adames sees Charlie Montoyo, the new Blue Jays manager …
Joel Reuter / Bleacher Report:
Final Landing Spot Odds for Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel Before They Sign — Next week will be hands down the most invested in the MLB draft that Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel have been since they heard their names called in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
As Rocco Baldelli returns leading Twins, why he is ‘a pretty big deal’ with Rays — Having spent 18 years with Tampa Bay, he comes back managing the Twins. Also, Mike Zunino and Matt Duffy updates. — ST. PETERSBURG — For almost his entire adult life, 18 of his first 19 years in pro ball, Rocco Baldelli was a Ray.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Police report alleges that Odúbel Herrera left “hand print markings” on his girlfriend's neck — Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera was arrested Monday night. Today we learn some of the ugly details of the incident which led to his arrest. — The Philadelphia Inquirer …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Gausman, Braves crushed by Nationals in two-game sweep — It took less than 20 minutes to deflate the enthusiasm and energy of a high-voltage crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday. On the heals of the Braves announcing the 2021 All-Star Game would be held in Atlanta, Kevin Gausman couldn't keep the good vibes going.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Sam Miller / ESPN:
How Cody Bellinger could have the best season in MLB history — For the first two weeks of the baseball season, WAR goes dark. Baseball-Reference didn't roll out the first run of its all-encompassing stat until the morning of April 9, by which point the Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger was hitting .435 …
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers accept Hyun-Jin Ryu's ‘fascinating’ routine between starts — In the middle of April, as Hyun-Jin Ryu nursed a sore groin, the Dodgers made a request. If Ryu wanted to return from the injured list, he had to throw a bullpen session. The assignment deviated Ryu from his usual routine, but he complied.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Brandon Dixon delivers big hit again in Detroit Tigers' rare series winner — BALTIMORE — Before he was summoned to the clubhouse manager's office, Blaine Hardy just wanted to give him a high five. — Brandon Dixon walked through the visitors clubhouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards …