Angels ride four homers to fifth straight win

Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Chris Iannetta and Mark Trumbo homered en route to a 5-4 win over the Royals on Thursday night in Kansas City, giving Joe Blanton his first victory and extending the Angels' winning streak to five.

Garcia set to join Nats' Double-A team next week

Nationals right-hander Christian Garcia, who is on the disabled list because of a right forearm strain, will join Double-A Harrisburg sometime next week.

Middlebrooks leaves with spasms in lower back

Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks exited Thursday night's game against the Indians with lower back spasms

McLouth dives into crowd for catch; almost hit by drink

Nate McLouth flipped into the stands as he made a spectacular catch down the left-field line, and he was nearly hit by a drink thrown by a fan after the play was ruled an out.

Boston Marathon survivor tosses first pitch

A Boston Marathon survivor, who tore 90 percent of his left Achilles tendon, threw out a ceremonial pitch before the Red Sox game against the Indians on Thursday night.

Shields is far outperforming his record

Royals ace James Shields leads the league in innings pitched and is tied for sixth in strikeouts, but his success on the mound has not been translating to wins. His record dropped to 2-5 after the Royals lost two in Houston.

Jackson unlikely to come off DL when eligible

Austin Jackson is back at Comerica Park with the Tigers beginning a homestand Thursday. It's looking less and less likely, though, that he'll be ready to return to action before the Tigers hit the road again next week.

Utley headed to 15-day DL with strained oblique

The Phillies announced that Chase Utley, who felt a burning sensation on his right side when taking swings during batting practice Monday in Miami, will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with what they have called a "very mild" Grade 1 strained oblique. He is eligible to be activated June 5.

Weaver's next start could be with Angels

Jered Weaver was back with the Angels on Thursday, and manager Mike Scioscia said the right-hander's next side session will determine if he can come off the disabled list and rejoin the rotation next week.

Dodgers move pitching prospect Miller to outfield

Aaron Miller, the Dodgers' first-round sandwich pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft as a left-handed pitcher, has been moved from the mound to the outfield.

Zimmerman hosts MS fundraiser at Nationals Park

The Nationals didn't arrive back home from a grueling 10-game West Coast trip until around 4 a.m. ET on Thursday, but several players still turned out to Nationals Park to support Ryan Zimmerman's fourth annual "A Night at the Park" fundraiser.

Mastroianni to be out six weeks after ankle surgery

Outfielder Darin Mastroianni underwent successful surgery on his left ankle on Wednesday and is expected to be out six weeks. Mastroianni, who was moved to the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday, had a bone chip in his ankle repaired in Minnesota.

Bautista ready to move on after four-hit performance

Jose Bautista entered Thursday's contest against the Orioles after one of his best individual performances, but it's not something the veteran slugger wants to dwell on.

Gausman recalled from Bowie; Arrieta optioned

The Orioles officially selected the contract of right-hander Kevin Gausman, who will make his Major League debut against the Blue Jays on Thursday to kick off a four-game set in Toronto. Jake Arrieta was sent down to clear a roster spot.

Bourn still mad at assisting Cabrera's home run

A few hours after giving Miguel Cabrera an assist on a home run Wednesday night, Indians center fielder Michael Bourn was still steamed at the fluke play.

Prince takes care of business in Tigers' comeback win

The way Miguel Cabrera is hitting, the Twins wanted nothing to do with him with a chance to pull the Tigers ahead. Once again, Prince Fielder took care of the run instead. On a night when Cabrera stretched his home run streak to four consecutive games, it was a deflected RBI single by Fielder that pulled Detroit ahead for good in a 7-6 win over the Twins on Thursday.

Encarnacion's slam punctuates batting showcase

The Blue Jays put on batting clinic, as J.P. Arencibia hit a homer and had four RBIs and Edwin Encarnacion laced a grand slam in the 12-6 victory over the O's on Thursday.

Sidelined Victorino ramps up physical activity

Outfielder Shane Victorino was again unavailable to play for the Red Sox on Thursday, and the team is no closer to deciding whether to place the outfielder on the disabled list.

Fenway remains special place for Francona

Terry Francona's time managing the Red Sox was good, bad and everything in between. Making his first appearance at Fenway Park as a visiting manager on Thursday, Francona preferred to soak in the warm welcome and remember the good times.

Indians pound Red Sox in Francona's Fenway return

Back at Fenway Park for the first time as a visiting manager, Terry Francona was handed a 12-3 victory as a homecoming present by the Indians. Mark Reynolds and Drew Stubbs each collected three RBIs.

Pineda goes five innings in extended spring game

Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda, who missed all of last season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum, tossed five innings on Thursday at the club's Minor League complex Thursday.

Beat the Streak leader elects not to make pick

Two-thirds of Major League Baseball teams were off Thursday, and so was Aaron Brown, the Beat the Streak extraordinaire who is 12 picks away from winning the game's $5.6 million grand prize.

MRI reveals no structural damage in Eaton's elbow

D-backs outfielder Adam Eaton does not have any structural damage in his left elbow, an MRI taken Wednesday revealed.

Overbay makes case to stick when Tex returns

First baseman Lyle Overbay is quite literally wearing a Yankees uniform only because Mark Teixeira is not, and now the 36-year-old veteran wonders if there might be a place for both players to fit on the roster.

For Dodgers, in-season managerial change is rare

The Dodgers have changed managers in midseason because of poor team play just once in the past 111 years. After his club's slow start, current skipper Don Mattingly now finds himself on the hot seat.

Guarded optimism surrounding Carp's rehab process

The pair of February news conferences took on a tone of solemnity and reflection as general manager John Mozeliak and, a week later, Chris Carpenter, painted a picture void of optimism. Carpenter refused to utter the "R" word, but the idea of career finality was certainly palpable as he spoke.

Texas releases Lowe, inks Teahen to Minors deal

The Rangers placed veteran right-hander Derek Lowe on unconditional release waivers and signed infielder Mark Teahen to a Minor League contract Thursday.

McCutchen produces before rain in Bucs win

The Pirates beat the Cubs, 4-2, to complete a three-game sweep of Chicago on Thursday at PNC Park after a 1-hour, 47-minute rain delay, which began with two outs in the top of the fourth inning.

Mariners option Montero to Triple-A Tacoma

Catcher Jesus Montero, one of the expected building blocks of the Mariners' future, was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday as the club looks to spark some change in the wake of a six-game losing streak.

Reinsdorf's impact on community draws high honor

Jerry Reinsdorf received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Sports Business Awards on Wednesday, but he knows it was mostly a night for reflection and larger lessons. The White Sox owner said that 32 years in professional sports have shown him again and again how they can make a substantive and positive impact on communities and in the lives of men and women.