Top News:
Matthew Roberson / New York Daily News:
Yankees, Aaron Judge settle on $19M contract before Friday's scheduled arbitration hearing — Before actually engaging in an arbitration hearing, which was scheduled to begin at noon on Friday, Aaron Judge and the Yankees settled on a contract agreement. Judge will make $19 million this season …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Aaron Judge declines $19M settlement offer from New York Yankees, seeks arbitration victory — Aaron Judge is betting big on himself, again — this time by going to an arbitration hearing with the New York Yankees that starts at noon Friday rather than agreeing to a settlement.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Union-News, MLB Baseball News …, Mercury News and baseballmusings.com
Matthew Roberson / New York Daily News:
Yankees storm back in 9th inning for 7-6 win over Astros on clutch Aaron Hicks HR, Judge walk-off — Aaron Hicks? Yes, Aaron Hicks. — The often-ridiculed, sometimes downright unwatchable outfielder was the Yankees' hero on Thursday night. His three-run, no-doubt home run in the bottom of the ninth tied things up.
Discussion:
Orange County Register, The Crawfish Boxes, Pinstripe Alley and New York Post
Nathan Ruiz / Baltimore Sun:
Adley Rutschman homers, catches shutout as outfield defense dazzles in Orioles' 4-0 win over White Sox — ExpandAutoplay — 1 of 7 — CHICAGO — Adley Rutschman has arrived. — Sure, the top prospect in baseball and the Orioles' farm system reached the majors more than a month ago.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Mercury News and Camden Chat
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Danny Mendick suffers a season-ending ACL tear, while the Chicago White Sox call up hot prospect Lenyn Sosa — Danny Mendick didn't curse his luck. — The White Sox infielder's season came to end Thursday with news that he tore the ACL in his right knee, an injury suffered Wednesday in an outfield collision with Adam Haseley.
Discussion:
ESPN, Mercury News, Orange County Register and Boston Herald
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Revisiting the Slap Heard 'Round Baseball as Tommy Pham, Reds head to San Francisco — It was nearly a month ago when Tommy Pham delivered the slap heard ‘round baseball during batting practice and was suspended for all three of the Cincinnati Reds’ games against the San Francisco Giants.
Discussion:
Monterey County Herald and Mercury News
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' Joc Pederson hopes fans ‘respectful’ during Reds series after Tommy Pham's slap flap — ATLANTA — Joc Pederson knows that San Francisco Giants fans can dish it out to opposing left fielders. He heard it plenty, getting called a bum when he was with the Dodgers.
Discussion:
Mercury News, NBCSports.com, ESPN, The Athletic and MLB Baseball News …
Orlando Sentinel:
Magic choose Michigan's Caleb Houstan in 2nd round of NBA draft — Columnist Mike Bianchi on the Orlando Magic drafting Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. (Orlando Sentinel) — The Orlando Magic once again dipped into the University of Michigan pipeline …
Discussion:
Mercury News
RELATED:
Orlando Sentinel:
Orlando Magic make Paolo Banchero the No. 1 pick in NBA draft
Orlando Magic make Paolo Banchero the No. 1 pick in NBA draft
Discussion:
Mercury News, New York Post and Boston Herald
Khobi Price / Orlando Sentinel:
Magic trade NBA's draft No. 35 pick to Lakers for future second-rounder
Magic trade NBA's draft No. 35 pick to Lakers for future second-rounder
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Hoops Rumors, Orange County Register and Mercury News
Ryan McFadden / Baltimore Sun:
Former Poly star Justin Lewis reportedly agrees to two-way deal with Chicago Bulls — Former Poly and Marquette forward Justin Lewis has agreed to a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls, according to The Athletic, after going unselected in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Boston Herald, Hoops Rumors and Pippen Ain't Easy
RELATED:
ESPN:
Former No. 1 pick Mark Appel, 30, gets big league call-up from Philadelphia Phillies — Mark Appel, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick whose baseball career included a three-season absence from the sport, is getting his first major league call-up Saturday at the age of 30.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Associated Press, Lone Star Ball, Phillies Nation, The Athletic and baseballmusings.com
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Veteran pitcher Cole Hamels looking for MLB comeback — Jon Heyman shares his news and notes from around Major League Baseball: — Cole Hamels has decided to take his time with his comeback plans and try next spring rather than rush things. He called off a comeback a year ago …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online and Phillies Nation
ESPN:
Kansas City Royals C Salvador Perez to have surgery to repair thumb ligament — Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez needs surgery on his left thumb and has been placed on the 10-day injured list. — The surgery will be to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb, and his IL move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Mets' list of MLB trade deadline targets includes Reds' Luis Castillo — MORE FROM: — The Mets have two of the best pitchers in baseball on the mend, with Max Scherzer expected back as early as Sunday and Jacob deGrom believed likely back around the time of the All-Star Game.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Trade Rumors and Red Reporter
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Royals looking to trade Whit Merrifield more than ever before — Jon Heyman shares his news and notes from around Major League Baseball: — The Royals, a realistic group, will sell. Andrew Benintendi may be their top piece and Carlos Santana may draw interest.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, Phillies Nation and New Jersey Online
Julian McWilliams / The Boston Globe:
Red Sox give Jeter Downs a debut surprise as he starts at third base, not shortstop — Xander Bogaerts originally had an off day for Wednesday's series finale against the Tigers. The plan was for Jeter Downs to make his big league debut at shortstop in place of Bogaerts; Trevor Story, meanwhile, would remain at second.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Greg Dudek / NESN.com:
Red Sox's Jeter Downs Thought MLB Debut Vs. Tigers Was ‘Coolest Thing’
Red Sox's Jeter Downs Thought MLB Debut Vs. Tigers Was ‘Coolest Thing’
Discussion:
Union-News, New Jersey Online, Refsnyder hits 2-run homer … and NBCSports.com