Stephen Strasburg said after his start Wednesday that something felt off mechanically. That came as a surprise to manager Matt Williams when he heard about it Thursday.

The Cubs’ Junior Lake had to leave Thursday’s game in the second inning after slamming into one of the metal outfield doors at Wrigley Field.

Once again, America’s Pastime was riveted to the world’s game. The United States’ final group-play match in soccer’s quadrennial World Cup took place Thursday against heavily favored Germany, captivating people around Major League Baseball just as it did to the millions of other Americans tuning in.

The White Sox on Thursday designated veteran lefty Scott Downs for assignment and recalled southpaw prospect Eric Surkamp from Triple-A Charlotte.

He may not be interested in competing in this year’s Gillette Home Run Derby, but rookie slugger Jose Abreu can expect an invitation from Jose Bautista to swing for the American League at some point this week during the White Sox-Blue Jays series.

Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes hit a ball off the top of the wall for an RBI triple in the second inning on Thursday night, and the call was confirmed by a crew chief review.

Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is taking his role as captain of the American League for the 2014 Gillette Home Run Derby in Minnesota very seriously.

Other than knowing Gavin Floyd will not pitch again this season, the Braves have not yet learned much about the season-ending elbow surgery the veteran right-handed pitcher underwent on Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday, Evan Waara joined a handful of Mariners players, coaches, and personnel, manager Lloyd McClendon, general manager Jack Zduriencik and a group of donors at the Golf Club at Newcastle for the 29th Annual Mariners Golf Tournament to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

David Price asked Jose Altuve for an autographed baseball a few weeks ago, and if that doesn’t sound like a big deal to you, it might be because you haven’t traveled the road Jose Altuve has traveled.

The Padres claimed utility man Irving Falu off waivers from the Brewers on Thursday, opening a spot on Milwaukee’s previously full roster.

Nolan Arenado on Thursday made big strides toward returning when he took fielding practice against live hitting, hit off a tee and completed a front toss batting drill at Miller Park before the Rockies’ game against the Brewers.

Jarred Cosart won his fourth consecutive start Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park to earn his eighth win by throwing seven strong innings to lead the Astros to a 6-1 win over the Braves and snap a four-game losing streak. Matt Dominguez hit a three-run blast and George Springer hit his 15th homer — the most by an Astros rookie prior the All-Star break in club history.

Manny Ramirez joined the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa team in Colorado Springs on Thursday, and the next phase of his career as a player-coach was to begin.

Starling Marte remained out of the Bucs’ lineup on Thursday with a jammed right middle finger.

Fresh off the disabled list, Juan Lagares was in the Mets’ lineup Thursday for the first time since June 1.

The Reds were a little surprised on Thursday when Tony Cingrani had to be put on the disabled list by Triple-A Louisville because of a strained shoulder. Cingrani, who was sent down last Friday, spent May 1-18 on the DL with the Reds because of mild tendinitis in the shoulder, but he hadn’t needed any treatment since returning.