Albert Pujols was out of the Angels' lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Red Sox after an MRI revealed inflammation in his right calf.

The Cubs and Rockies begin a three-game series Friday at Wrigley Field, with Jeff Samardzija taking the hill for the home club and Drew Pomeranz pitching for the visitors.

Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after an MRI revealed inflammation in the starter's right rotator cuff.

You know the old adage: Defense wins championships.
If anyone can vouch for that, it's Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney, known in baseball circles for his defensive prowess.

Ichiro Suzuki has been thrilled by his first month with the Yankees, delivered into the heat of a pennant race after recognizing that he — at age 38, and with dreams of winning a World Series — no longer belonged on a Mariners club that needs to rebuild.

While the cortisone injection is not a permanent cure for Carlos Beltran's left hand soreness, the shot seems to have done enough to keep the 35-year-old in the lineup for now.

Olympic gold-medal gymnast Gabrielle Douglas was born in Virginia Beach, Va., not far from the childhood home of Mets star David Wright.

A change of scenery has done wonders for Hanley Ramirez, who has shown flashes of his former superstar self since being traded to the Dodgers in July.

“Bucks on the Pond,” the new MLB.com trivia show hosted by Jeremy Brisiel, visited Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore for the second time this season.

David Price had a great 2010, finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting after winning 19 games. But 2012 has been even better for the lefty, raising the question: Is he in line to win the award this year?

Evan Longoria wants to be manning third base every day, but he knows he must bide his time, since the Rays don't want to risk him re-injuring his left hamstring.

Brandon Inge is expected to make at least three starts for the River Cats, and the A's don't need to rush him back thanks to the production of Josh Donaldson.

Joaquin Arias drove in a career-high five runs Wednesday to propel the Giants to an 8-4 triumph that concluded a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers and sealed San Francisco's two-city trip with a 5-1 mark.

The Giants just gave the Dodgers a demonstration of their physical and mental readiness in a resounding three-game sweep, completed Wednesday night with an 8-4 decision at Dodger Stadium. Survival of the fittest — and toughest — is the name of the game from now until the finish.

Winners of four straight games and a series sweep of the Pirates, the Padres head to Chase Field on Friday looking for a repeat of their last trip, when they swept the D-backs. Left-handers Eric Stults and Patrick Corbin will toe the rubber in the opener.

Earlier this month, Hanley Ramirez visited his old teammates in Miami, as the Dodgers took two of three games from his former club. In a three-game set that begins Friday — a crucial one for the struggling Dodgers — the Marlins will pay him a return visit.

Each day, MLB.com selects one player from each game whose performance stands out.