Top News:
Jaylon Thompson / Kansas City Star:
Royals extend winning streak to seven games with 8-1 victory at Tampa Bay Rays — The Kansas City Royals on Friday trailed for the first time in 54 innings. — It didn't last long. — The Royals rebounded quickly against the Tampa Bay Rays and cruised to a 8-1 victory at Tropicana Field.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Associated Press and Bleacher Nation
Associated Press:
MLB says robot home plate umpires unlikely for 2025 — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball says robot home plate umpires are unlikely for 2025. — “We still have some technical issues,” baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday at a news conference following an owners meeting.
Discussion:
MLB.com, New York Times, Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, CBSSports.com, New York Post, masslive.com, Bleacher Nation and The Good Phight
Evan Petzold / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers option reliever Alex Lange to Triple-A Toledo to work on throwing strikes — The Detroit Tigers optioned right-handed reliever Alex Lange to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday after a meltdown, and disrespectful behavior, in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 8-3 loss against the Kansas City Royals.
Discussion:
New York Post, Last Word On Baseball and MLB Trade Rumors
Will Sammon / New York Times:
Mets need more from their core if they expect to make a playoff run — CLEVELAND — When the New York Mets' clubhouse doors opened Monday night, a handful of players gathered near a corner, deep in conversation. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, first baseman Pete Alonso and others chatted openly …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, New Jersey Online and Yahoo Sports
Josh Wilson / Sports Illustrated:
Looking at the Early Returns of the Juan Soto Trade for Yankees, Padres — Juan Soto returns to San Diego this weekend. — This weekend, the New York Yankees will make their way to the West Coast to visit the San Diego Padres. The three-game series starts Friday, with both teams having spent …
Discussion:
The Ringer, KNSD-TV, New York Daily News, New Jersey Online, Bleacher Nation, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, Pinstripe Alley and Gaslamp Ball
ESPN:
Padres' Xander Bogaerts has fractured shoulder, lands on IL — CINCINNATI — San Diego Padres All-Star second baseman Xander Bogaerts broke his left shoulder attempting a diving pickup and was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. — “I'm not a big timetable guy,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said.
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Hal Steinbrenner's blunt payroll confession complicates Juan Soto's Yankees future — Don't get used to seeing the Yankees with the payroll they have this season — just north of $300 million — going forward, whether Juan Soto is in The Bronx or not. — With Hal Steinbrenner again singing …
Jack Flemming / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani buys La Cañada Flintridge mansion from Adam Carolla for $7.85 million — Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani just put down roots in the L.A. area, dropping $7.85 million on a modern mansion in La Cañada Flintridge. — The massive purchase comes …
Discussion:
New York Post, Daily News, New York Daily News and True Blue LA
Ricardo Sandoval / Sports Illustrated:
Former Padres Pitcher Chooses to Leave Dodgers, Sign Minor League Deal Elsewhere — Former San Diego Padres reliever Nabil Crismatt has signed a deal with the American League West powerhouse Texas Rangers. After being designated for assignment on May 15 by the Los Angeles Dodgers …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
MLB expanding financial assistance for Negro Leagues players — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced they are expanding existing financial assistance programs to support living Negro Leagues players. — Players who played in fewer …
Discussion:
Covering the Corner and Forbes
Kiley McDaniel / ESPN:
Updated 2024 top 50 MLB prospects: Skenes, Holliday, more — Nearly two months into the 2024 MLB season, most of the big prospect promotions we've been waiting for have happened and many of the best young players going into the season have graduated from top 100 eligibility.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, The Good Phight, True Blue LA and Bleacher Nation
Buster Olney / ESPN:
How Josh Hader set unprecedented rules to protect his health — ON APRIL 30, with the Houston Astros tied 8-8 with the Cleveland Guardians in the ninth inning, Josh Hader emerged from the bullpen to pitch. This wasn't unusual — Hader, whom the Astros signed to a five-year deal in January …
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and The Good Phight
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Four-man or five? Most rotations fall in between — Upon further review, the Toronto Blue Jays are not my new favourite team. Or even my new favorite team. — They were, but for only a few hours last week. For those few hours, I thought the Blue Jays were committed to a four-man rotation …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, ESPN and Baseball America