The Cubs are progressing toward a long-term contract extension with shortstop Starlin Castro, according to multiple reports.

Don Newcombe helped to break down barriers as one of baseball's first star black pitchers, and again as a role model for those suffering from substance abuse issues. Saturday, he'll be honored with one of three Beacon Awards.

Game 1 of the 1996 World Series featured 24-year-old Chipper Jones at third base for the Braves, and 22-year-old Derek Jeter at shortstop for the Yankees. In 2012, both players are still going strong, having two of the best seasons ever for a player at their ages and positions.

As of Monday, there has been a 28 percent increase from last year in injuries requiring a stint on the disabled list. MLB clubs have sent players to the DL 539 times this season, including 118 players sent to the 60-day DL.

Young fans in Pittsburgh, who can't remember a time when the Pirates had a winning team, are enjoying the club's 2012 ride perhaps more than anyone.

They're getting the band back together. On Saturday, to culminate their week-long celebration of the Angels' 2002 World Series title, more than 25 of the players and coaches from that team will reunite at Angel Stadium.

The men at the top of the lineup jump-start the offense, setting a tone. They work counts. They bunt, run and steal. They do whatever it takes to generate offense and excitement. A crucial element in any team's success, they generally find themselves overshadowed by the big men muscling their way to glory behind them.

With David Price dominating on the mound, the Rays cruised to a 7-0 win over the Angels in Anaheim on Thursday night.

For 25 outs, the D-backs were held scoreless. Then in a two-pitch sequence, Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young hit back-to-back homers and the D-backs rallied for a 2-1 win Thursday night at Busch Stadium.

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

The Rockies parlayed a big bat off the bench — and an even bigger bat off the disabled list — to extend their win streak to four, beating the Marlins, 5-3, in the opening game of a four-game series on Thursday night.

A's outfielder Coco Crisp was awarded a home run after a video review of his double in the sixth inning of Thursday's 3-0 win against the Royals in the series finale at Kauffman Stadium.

Down one run to the Phillies in the bottom of the eighth inning, Corey Hart delivered a grand slam that gave the Brewers a much-needed 7-4 victory Thursday after another rough road trip. Ryan Braun homered twice and Aramis Ramirez also went deep.

Rookie right-hander Dan Straily tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings for his first Major League win as Coco Crisp and Yoenis Cespedes homered to help the A's earn a 3-0 victory over the Royals on Thursday.

With a swift flurry in the bottom of the sixth inning during the Red Sox's 6-3 win against the Orioles on Thursday, Clay Buchholz proved just how unhittable he is when he is at the top of his game.

A bright light during a tough time, Clay Buchholz came through yet again for the Red Sox on Thursday night, making sure his team didn't get swept at a time it simply can't afford to. In a 6-3 victory over the Orioles, Buchholz gave the Red Sox eight gutty innings, scattering eight hits and three walks while striking out seven.

A male spectator went into cardiac arrest at Rogers Centre on Thursday, and he later died, according to The Associated Press.