Francisco Lindor out of Mets lineup against Dodgers after shutting hotel doors on middle finger  —  LOS ANGELES—Forget thumbs.  That was so last year.  This season, Francisco Lindor's middle finger is making headlines.  —  Lindor was out of the Mets lineup for their series opener …

Brennen Davis — the top prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization — has back surgery  —  The back injury to Chicago Cubs top prospect Brennen Davis is more serious than initially thought.  —  Davis had back surgery in Los Angeles Thursday, sources told the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago White Sox place Vince Velasquez on the IL — as Dylan Cease and Kendall Graveman return from the restricted list  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Vince Velasquez was in line to start Friday for the Chicago White Sox in the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Philadelphia Phillies fire manager Joe Girardi after 22-29 start  —  MLB, Philadelphia Phillies  —  The Philadelphia Phillies have fired manager Joe Girardi, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced Friday.  —  The move was made with the Phillies at 22-29 …

Twins commentator Jim Kaat gives Yankees hurler Nestor Cortes an offensive nickname  —  Whether it's the Sultan of Swat, the Splendid Splinter or The Big Unit, baseball has a storied history of nicknames for its stars.  —  Minnesota Twins color commentator Jim Kaat tried to add a new chapter …

Gerrit Cole flirts with perfection, Aaron Judge crushes another homer as Bombers blast the Tigers  —  In case you didn't get the message on Thursday, Gerrit Cole went out and added emphasis to the point.  The Yankees starting staff is the best in the American League and making a case for being the most dominant in baseball.

LeBron James Is Officially A Billionaire  —  He missed the playoffs for just the fourth time in 19 seasons but LeBron still scores as the first active NBA player to make our list.  —  LeBron James-18-time NBA all-star, 4-time NBA champion, 2-time Olympic gold medalist-has hit yet another milestone …

Miami Dolphins minicamp practice (Week 3): Tua Tagovailoa throws two long bombs  —  Plenty has been made of Tua Tagovailoa's arm strength, and whether or not the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback has the ability to stretch the field with longer throws.  —  Even though Tagovailoa connected …

The Dodgers Embrace the Family of a Player They Once Shunned  —  At Pride Night, Los Angeles will celebrate the life of Glenn Burke, M.L.B.'s first openly gay player.  His family will be there hoping the honor makes Burke “partially whole.”  —  LOS ANGELES — The life and times of Glenn Burke …

24th lawsuit against Deshaun Watson to be filed Monday, attorney Tony Buzbee says  —  Browns QB Deshaun Watson press conference  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — A 24th civil suit will be filed against Deshaun Watson on Monday by a massage therapist alleging sexual misconduct during past appointments, attorney Tony Buzbee told cleveland.com.