Dodgers' Mookie Betts hits 3 home runs in a game for record-tying sixth time  —  Dave Roberts, as might be expected, was a deep admirer of Mookie Betts from afar.  The Los Angeles Dodgers' manager loved Betts' blend of speed, defense, arm strength, strike-zone recognition and bat-to-ball skills.

Cardinals coach Willie McGee, concerned about family and health, opts out of season  —  The Cardinals, who haven't played a game for 17 days, have had an opt-out.  He hasn't played a game this season or for more than 20 seasons, in fact, but one of the franchise's greats is going home.

Red Sox President Sam Kennedy On Slow Start, Trade Deadline  —  The Red Sox suffered their 13th loss in 19 games on Thursday, dropping an embarrassing 17-8 decision to the Rays.  Before that, Red Sox president Sam Kennedy joined The Greg Hill Show on WEEI and expressed optimism that the team …

Indians' Zach Plesac says he and Mike Clevinger unfairly cast as ‘bad people’ after COVID violation  —  CLEVELAND — Indians pitcher Zach Plesac said he feels he and teammate Mike Clevinger have been unfairly portrayed as “bad people” in the aftermath of the pitchers being quarantined by the team …

For Clint Frazier, Another Chance to Prove He Belongs in the Bronx  —  For years, the young outfielder has been too flawed to play full-time but too talented to trade away.  Now, a series of Yankees injuries has given him a fresh chance to make his mark.  —  Two days after making …

Baseball fan Stephen Strasburg gets ejected from the stands for arguing balls and strikes  —  By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  —  Stephen Strasburg is paying close attention.  —  The Nationals starter and reigning World Series MVP was sitting in the stands at Citi Field on Thursday watching his club face the

Athletics' Kemp, Giants' Yastrzemski Make Their Bay Area Mark as a Shared Experience  —  The Giants and the A's, who meet Friday night in Oracle Park for the first time in the 2020 regular season, will always maintain a rivalry.  —  With the teams playing in stadiums just eight miles away …

MLB Mulls Plan For Teams To Add 15 More Players To Alternate Site  —  The cancellation of the minor league baseball season has left thousands of players out of work.  Only the few dozen selected by each organization for a spot in its 60-man player pool have had any semblance …

Marlins Acquire Jesus Tinoco  —  The Marlins have acquired right-hander Jesus Tinoco from the Rockies for fellow righty Chad Smith, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.  Tinoco will join the Marlins' player pool and report to their alternate training site.

‘Things always turn around, always’: David Bell not losing hope as Reds fall to 3 games under .500  —  Anthony DeSclafani entered Thursday's start with a 0.00 ERA this season.  —  That lasted two pitches.  Adam Frazier hit DeSclafani's second pitch of the night out to center.

Aroldis Chapman close to rejoining Yankees after recovering from COVID-19  —  A little over a month later, it is still a mystery to Aroldis Chapman.  —  “I don't know how or where I contracted the virus,” the Yankees closer said through his interpreter.  —  Chapman did not test positive …