Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was the 2015 National League MVP, but he missed out on the batting title because of Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon. It would be understandable if the Nationals slugger felt like he was robbed of the achievement because of the performance-enhancing-drug revelations regarding Gordon, but he blamed only himself in recent comments. 

The 13-9 Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten off to a solid start in 2016 and are fresh off a 98-win campaign. The coaching staff was rewarded for its efforts on Friday. 

The team announced on its Twitter page that the entire staff received contract extensions through the 2017 season:

The Baltimore Orioles reportedly reached an agreement Friday with veteran starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez for a minor league deal.

As the Major League Baseball season moves from April and into May, the 2016 awards season is about to get one step closer.

It's still too early to pick who's going to win the big races, of course. It's not too early, however, to check in on who's in the lead.

Ahead are our picks for the early leaders for the Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards in the American League and National League. Managers were chosen based on who's done the most for their team, and players were chosen based on all-around performance and general impact.

A week ago, there were serious stories in serious newspapers asking how long the Boston Red Sox should wait before making a managerial change.

By Tuesday, the Red Sox were half a game out of first place in the American League East.

Dee Gordon, the sweet-swinging and fast-running second baseman of the Miami Marlins, is going to be gone for a while.

But that's not the sad part. The sad part is how many people will be too angry to miss him and how many tough questions have to be asked in the meantime.

April is baseball's most tantalizing and least meaningful month.

On the one hand, cut grass is in the air and hope springs eternal. Plus, wins are wins whether they come now or in the heat of the pennant race.

On the other hand, we're still squarely in small-sample territory. Scalding starts will evaporate in the heat of summer, and early cold spells will thaw. The last shall be first and the first shall be last—maybe.

The Chicago Cubs' title aspirations have hit an early speed bump this season with catcher Miguel Montero battling an injury to his back. 

Continue for updates. 

Montero Placed on DL

Thursday, April 28

Per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs placed Montero on the disabled list and called up Tim Federowicz to take his place. 

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett is dealing with right oblique tightness, and it is uncertain when he'll return to action. 

Continue for updates.

The first semester of the 2016 regular season has come to an end, and report cards are heading home to each of baseball's 30 teams. Some managers and front office executives will try to get into work early to intercept the mail, while others will simply lean back and wait for a pat on the back from ownership.

While it's far too early to make declarative statements about the ultimate fate of most teams after only a month of action, it's enough of a sample size for us to look at areas that are strengths for each club and, conversely, areas that are in need of improvement.