After Travis Snider’s two-run homer, Pedro Alvarez turned on the first pitch by James Russell, the left-handed Cubs reliever assigned to take him out, for a three-run homer that dotted a five-run seventh Thursday afternoon and lifted the Bucs to a 5-4 victory over Chicago at Wrigley Field.

Avisail Garcia will be out for the remainder of the season after the White Sox right fielder sustained a torn labrum in his left shoulder during Wednesday’s game in Colorado. Jordan Danks was recalled from Charlotte.

Andrelton Simmons arrived at Turner Field with the expectation to play in Thursday night’s series finale against the Mets. But the Braves scratched him from the lineup after his right wrist proved to be too bothersome during batting practice.

Colby Lewis is joining the Rangers’ rotation, but his return is being delayed a few days until the club determines if third baseman Adrian Beltre needs to go on the disabled list. Beltre has been diagnosed with a mild strain in his left quad muscle. The Rangers will wait through the weekend to see if he progresses enough to avoid going on the disabled list.

The Phillies on Thursday announced Jonathan Pettibone will be their fifth starter until Cole Hamels finishes his rehab from inflammation in his left shoulder.

It was one of those sleepy, early spring mornings at Ed Smith Stadium, the days when just pitchers and catchers were required to be on the back fields when manager Buck Showalter saw it. Lefty Zach Britton was throwing just for the second time in camp, a non-event in most cases, but vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson had gone on all winter about Britton’s offseason.

Oakland’s offense ruled the day again Thursday, hitting around yet another Twins starter in a 6-1, series-sweeping win over Minnesota.

Josh Reddick was out of the lineup for the second time in four games Thursday. He’s hitting just 3-for-29 on the young season.

Jacoby Ellsbury, who has switched sides in baseball’s most historic rivalry, will receive a parting gift from the Red Sox on Friday when he is presented with his 2013 World Series ring. Ellsbury batted third for the Yankees on Thursday, marking his first career game against the only professional organization he had ever played for.

Home runs from Robbie Grossman, Jonathan Villar and Jason Castro, and a strong performance by starter Dallas Keuchel helped the Astros drop the Blue Jays, 6-4, in front of a crowd of 15,778 at Rogers Centre on Thursday.

Based on the results of Matt Moore’s second MRI of the week on Wednesday, the Rays are in the process of determining whether the pitcher should undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, or try to rehab the injury.

Manager Bob Melvin said Thursday that he is going with a closer-by-committee approach for the time being after Jim Johnson was removed from the role. Right-handers Luke Gregerson, Ryan Cook and Dan Otero and lefty Sean Doolittle are all options.

Juggling a bullpen without closer David Robertson has been more challenging than Joe Girardi would have liked, as heavy workloads dip into the availability of some of his relievers.

All of Jackie Bradley Jr.’s weaknesses seemed to be exposed in his first stint in the Majors, but a recent surge at the plate shows that his growing pains have subsided.

MRI results Wednesday revealed that Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton suffered a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament to the left thumb along with a torn capsule, and he will undergo surgery.

Robbie Erlin allowed one run in six innings and Chase Headley picked a good time for his first RBI of the season as the Padres defeated the Indians, 2-1, in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday at Progressive Field.

Billy Hamilton showcased his eye-opening speed to back a sensational outing from Mike Leake as the Reds cruised to a 4-0 win over the Cardinals in Wednesday’s finale at Busch Stadium.