Fan News

The Houston Astros released outfielder Carlos Gonzalez on Friday.

Upon designating Gomez for assignment Aug. 10, Houston had 10 days to work out a trade or assign him to the minor leagues, but instead the 30-year-old is now a free agent.

New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz will be held out of Friday's scheduled start against the San Francisco Giants due to a shoulder injury.

Continue for updates.

Matz to Miss Start with Shoulder 'Discomfort'

Friday, Aug. 19

According to ESPN.com's Adam Rubin, Matz will be replaced by Seth Lugo Friday.

Predicting some of the division races that are all but official—such as the National League Central—would just be adding fluff to any set of MLB playoff projections. 

But several races will provide us with great theater during the latter portion of the MLB season. So, whether you agree or not, consider this your Playbill for baseball's hotly contested races.

But to agree or disagree you have to read on, right?

On Aug. 12, Alex Rodriguez played his final game as a member of the New York Yankees and quite possibly his final game in the major leagues.

That doesn't qualify him for Bleacher Report's MLB Team of the Week, but we'd be remiss if we didn't at least give one of the greatest, most polarizing players of this or any generation a shout-out.

Because the baseball gods decree that every season must feature an overly complicated debate about the "V" in "MVP," 2016 has given us the curious case of Kris Bryant.

There's no need to be curious about Bryant's stardom. It's legit. The Chicago Cubs picked him No. 2 overall in 2013, and all he's done since then is emerge as a No. 1 prospect and last year's National League Rookie of the Year. For his next act, he has eyes on the NL Most Valuable Player Award.

The San Francisco Giants (66-54) will try to end a four-game losing streak behind ace Madison Bumgarner (11-7, 2.11 ERA) when they host the New York Mets (60-60) on Thursday.

We've arrived at roughly the quarter pole of the 2016 MLB season and that means it's time for an updated version of our position-by-position player rankings.

The following takes into account players' all-around offensive abilities, their defensive contributions as well as what they have meant to the success of their respective teams.

To put it simply, this is an overview of the top 10 players at each spot based solely on what they have done during the 2016 season.

If the upcoming MLB offseason were a movie directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it would be titled There Will Be Trades.

Don't worry, Daniel Day Lewis isn't coming for your milkshake. But general managers across baseball will be extending their straws, looking to make deals and siphon up talent.

Jonathan Lucroy hit his seventh home run for the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in a 6-2 win over the Oakland A's.

That becomes more impressive when you stack it next to another number: 15.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson exited Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees with a thumb injury.

Continue for updates.