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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

John Smoltz thrilled to see All-Star Game return to Atlanta  —  The Braves rolled out an alumni red carpet while announcing they'll host the 2021 MLB All-Star Game on Wednesday afternoon.  —  Among the former Braves greats in attendance was John Smoltz, the Hall of Fame righty who earned eight All-Star nods.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …