Astros' Jose Urquidy, Cristian Javier to have surgery, out for season  —  HOUSTON — Houston starters Cristian Javier and José Urquidy are both scheduled to have right elbow surgery, a big blow to an Astros team trying to rebound after a terrible start to the season.

Michael Bloomberg agrees to join Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez Timberwolves ownership group: Sources  —  Billionaire businessman and former three-term New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has reached an agreement to join the prospective Minnesota Timberwolves ownership group of Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez …

Mets in London: What to know about the games against the Phillies in England  —  LONDON — For the first time, the Mets will play in Europe this weekend.  —  They departed the United States for the United Kingdom late Wednesday night, and on Saturday and Sunday will compete against the Phillies …

Yankees beat Twins 8-5 for 8th straight win to cap season sweep with Dodgers series on deck in Bronx  —  NEW YORK — Trent Grisham homered and had three RBI, doubling his totals in both categories, and the New York Yankees completed a season sweep of the Minnesota Twins with an 8-5 victory Thursday night …

Pedro Grifol is running out of time as White Sox manager.  The only question is when a change will be made  —  In April 1999, the Baltimore Orioles' manager, the late Ray Miller, reacted to a difficult loss by turning on his players.  —  “If you have any more questions, go out into the clubhouse,” Miller said.

MLB announces sports betting suspensions for 5 players  —  Marcano on permanently ineligible list; 4 others receive 1-year suspensions  —  Major League Baseball placed Padres infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano on the permanently ineligible list Tuesday for violating the league's sports betting rules and policies.

Skenes vs. Ohtani duel steals show, but Pirates beat Dodgers  —  PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes struck out eight over five innings, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in the majors this season and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-6 on Wednesday night.

Lakers zeroing in on JJ Redick as front-runner to be next coach: Sources  —  The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on JJ Redick as the front-runner to be the franchise's next head coach, league and media industry sources told The Athletic.  —  No final decision has been made yet …

Fantasy Baseball: June Top 300 Overall ROS Rankings  —  Here is the June edition of my rest-of-season position rankings and overall top 300 for 5x5 leagues.  Sorry that I'm a couple of days late, but I had to find a new No. 1 overall player.  Also, it turns out that there are only like 120 players …

Jeff Passan's early 2024 MLB trade deadline preview  —  Nearly two months before the July 30 trade deadline, conversations are already happening, which shouldn't come entirely as a surprise in a baseball environment like the 2024 season.  Not only is there no obvious World Series favorite …

Padres pursuing trade for White Sox's Garrett Crochet to bolster rotation  —  Less than three months after trading for Dylan Cease, the San Diego Padres are eyeing another of the Chicago White Sox's top pitchers.  Only this time, the two sides could have more difficulty reaching a deal, if they ever do.