Astros shortstop Carlos Correa showed more than just a glimpse of why he’s considered among the game’s top prospects in Thursday afternoon’s home-and-home finale against the Colorado Rockies, becoming the second-youngest player in the last 100 seasons with three stolen bases in a game, behind only Rickey Henderson.

Right-hander Ricky Nolasco is being fitted for orthotics, but his right ankle injury will not require surgery, Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Thursday.

The Phillies snapped a nine-game losing streak Thursday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the Orioles at Citizens Bank Park. They can thank Ryan Howard, who hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, and a strong performance from the pitching staff for snapping the team’s longest skid since an 11-game losing streak in September 1999.

Major League Baseball and USA Baseball on Thursday announced the launch of “Play Ball,” a significant new initiative that will encourage widespread participation in all forms of baseball activities among all age groups, especially youth.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

The Phillies announced Thursday afternoon that Cole Hamels has been scratched from Friday night’s start against the Cardinals because of a mild right hamstring strain. Triple-A right-hander Phillippe Aumont will start in his place.

Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis underwent surgery to repair a tear in his right shoulder earlier this week, and he’s expected to miss the rest of the season.

Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval is benched for tonight’s game against the Braves for violating the team’s social media policy during Wednesday night’s 5-2 loss. Sandoval is being reprimanding for using Instagram during the game, which goes against team rules.

Kennys Vargas came through with a walk-off solo blast with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Twins to a 2-1 win over the Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Target field.

For almost an hour on Thursday afternoon, Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon as well as Hall of Famer Andre Dawson had a chance to act like kids around a large group of young players.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch is being extremely cautious with second baseman Jose Altuve, who has been dealing with a right hamstring strain since last Friday. Altuve was out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Rockies after leaving Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Rockies in the third inning when Hinch sensed the hamstring was giving Altuve some problems.

Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau — whose presence around the club has been scarce since he sustained concussion symptoms and a cervical spine injury — said on Thursday he has been riding an exercise bike and strengthening his neck for the last “week and a half, maybe two weeks.” Morneau intends to return by season’s end.

When you talk about Washington this year, it starts with Bryce Harper. But the Nationals have struggled to reach their potential, and without Denard Span and Yunel Escobar, they wouldn’t be within striking distance of first place in the National League East.

The odds were against Matt Carpenter. He was a 13th-round Draft pick in 2009. He was pudgy. He was a fifth-year senior at TCU. His signing bonus was just $1,000.

JeVon Ward, a 15-year-old player at MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., stopped and paid attention. The Big Hurt was giving him advice.

Jeff Luhnow, general manager of the Astros, spoke on Wednesday about the FBI and Justice Department investigation into allegations that the Cardinals may have obtained unauthorized access to Houston’s computer system, which includes proprietary information regarding player personnel and evaluation.

It takes a stiff upper lip to win one World Series, let alone three in a row. In 1972, it also took one covered with hair.