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NEW YORK -- In a meeting between two of this season's most exciting rookies, Gleyber Torres outshone Shohei Ohtani. The Yankees newcomer became the youngest player in American League history to homer in four consecutive games on Friday night, belting a go-ahead seventh-inning blast to carry the Yankees past the Angels, 2-1.

Torres has gone deep in five of his past six contests, including a barreled seventh-inning drive off reliever Jim Johnson that carried over the right-field fence for the wunderkind's ninth big league homer -- all of which have come in Torres' past 16 games.

"I'm not a home run guy; I'm a contact guy," Torres said. "But I feel pretty good right now. I helped the team and I feel great for that. I feel great because I helped the team and we won. That's what's most important."

Video: LAA@NYY: Judge's defense, Torres' HR spark Yanks' win

According to Elias Sports, Torres (21 years, 163 days) became the fourth-youngest player in the Modern Era (since 1900) to homer in four straight games. The others: Miguel Cabrera in 2004 (20, 362); Andruw Jones in 1998 (21, 139); and Albert Pujols in 2001 (21, 147).

Video: Torres belts 5 homers over the Yankees' last 4 games

"I've had that conversation with him where he says, 'I've been preparing for this my whole life,' and certainly the last couple of years coming up in the Minor Leagues," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I think he just plays the game with a lot of confidence. I think his intelligence is very evident. When you combine intelligence and instincts and talent, you're looking at what has been a very special player for us."

Video: LAA@NYY: Boone discusses Torres' homer, Judge

While Ohtani's first career game in the Bronx resulted in three hitless at-bats and a walk, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year offered two reminders of why opponents would be wise not to run on his gifted right arm. Aaron Judge came up firing to throw out Kole Calhoun at home plate in the third inning and Martin Maldonado at second base in the seventh, limiting traffic on the basepaths for Yankees hurlers.

"It's fun," Judge said. "As an outfielder, that's what you live for -- moments like that. Runners on in a big situation, getting a chance to throw a guy out, you hear the crowd getting excited. That's fun. Don't overthink it. Don't think about pressure. Just go out there and have fun and make a play. What's the worst thing that could happen?"

Video: Must C Cannon: Judge shows off arm twice vs. Angels

Torres drove in both Yankees runs, having also knocked one home with a second-inning infield single, and made a nifty play to rob Mike Trout of a hit in the eighth. Chad Green pitched a scoreless frame to pick up the win in relief of Luis Severino, who allowed a run on four hits over six innings. Aroldis Chapman recorded the final four outs as the Yankees defeated the Angels for the fourth time in as many tries this season.

While he had trouble commanding his slider early, Severino kept the Angels off the board through the first four innings, helped by the 100.5 mph rocket from Judge that cut down Calhoun to end the third. Trout evened the score with his 16th homer, a fifth-inning blast off Severino that reached the second deck in right field.

Video: LAA@NYY: Trout crushes 16th homer of the season

"It was a bad pitch," Severino said. "I was trying to go down, and I left it in the middle. He's a good hitter, and he hit a good fastball there."

That was the last hit off Severino, who walked four and struck out five, tossing 99 pitches (63 for strikes). Judge contributed another assist behind Green in the seventh, firing a seemingly effortless strike to Didi Gregorius from the 314-foot marker in right field that cut down Maldonado attempting to stretch a single into a double.

Video: LAA@NYY: Severino K's 5, allows 1 run over 6 innings

"I've probably made that play a thousand times pregame," Judge said. "It's just like practice. Keep a routine, keep it simple, don't overthink it. The biggest thing is just make sure you catch the ball cleanly and keep an accurate throw. That's the biggest thing. Just replaying what I did in practice. That's all."

Heaney worked 6 1/3 innings, limiting New York to a run on four hits. The left-hander walked three and struck out five in the 97-pitch effort. The Angels, who were swept by the Yankees in a three-game series at Anaheim in April, fell to 10-29 (including the postseason) in the Bronx since the current Yankee Stadium opened in 2009.

Video: LAA@NYY: Chapman strikes out Maldonado for 4-out save

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The sellout crowd of 46,056 was treated to a power-vs.-power showdown between Ohtani and Chapman in the eighth inning. Chapman entered in relief of David Robertson and advanced the potential tying run to second base with a wild pitch, and Ohtani had the audience buzzing as he lined a 100.3 mph fastball down the left-field line foul for strike two.

"It was a big situation," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "Obviously I really wanted to get a base hit, but I wasn't able to come through. All his pitches were really fast, really powerful. Some of the contact I made I thought was pretty good contact."

Video: LAA@NYY: Chapman gets Ohtani after battle in the 8th

Chapman's fifth pitch of the at-bat was a 101.9 mph fastball, which Ohtani chopped to Gregorius for an inning-ending groundout.

"It was a good battle," Boone said. "It was fun to watch those two go at it. You could feel a little bit of electricity with those two. Ohtani had some good swings on him but Chappy was able to finish him off."

HE SAID IT
"It's not the power, he's just a good hitter. He's a good hitter that can hit it to all parts of the ballpark. He can pull it, go with it, he's been working counts. It's been fun to watch him these past couple weeks, just how professional his at-bats have been. No situation has been too big for him. Doesn't matter if we're down couple runs, up a couple runs or need a big hit, he always comes through. He never looks like the moment is too big for him." -- Judge, on Torres

Video: LAA@NYY: Torres opens scoring with RBI infield single

UP NEXT
The Yankees continue their three-game series with the Angels on Saturday (7:15 p.m. ET) as right-hander Sonny Gray takes the ball for his 10th start of the season. Gray (3-3, 5.48 ERA) is coming off his best start of the season, having allowed one run on four hits over eight innings in a win at Kansas City. The Angels will recall rookie right-hander Jaime Barria (3-1, 2.13) from Triple-A Salt Lake to make the start.

CLEVELAND -- After a pitchers' duel between former Cy Young Award winners on Friday, the Astros finally broke through once Indians ace Corey Kluber left the game.

Kluber stymied the Astros for 6 1/3 scoreless innings, bettering counterpart Dallas Keuchel, but Jose Altuve's game-tying two-run double sparked a four-run eighth inning against the Indians' top relievers. A massive output the following inning helped the Astros to an 11-2 win at Progressive Field, their fifth straight victory.

These late-inning rallies have become commonplace for the Astros, who did all of their scoring in the last two frames. They now lead the league with 99 runs from the seventh inning on.

"We had a really good energy in the last three innings," Marwin Gonzalez said. "We're playing 100 percent baseball. We never give up. They have good pitching, and they shut us down for seven innings, but that's what this team is capable of doing, and that's what's special about this team. We can do damage in one or two innings."

George Springer led off the eighth against Andrew Miller with a double to left field, and Alex Bregman then worked a five-pitch walk. Altuve jumped on a first-pitch slider, driving the ball into the left-field corner to tie the game at 2 and end Miller's night.

Video: HOU@CLE: Altuve ties game with 2-run double in 8th

Closer Cody Allen came in to put out the fire, but could not stop the Astros' offense. Altuve advanced to third on Carlos Correa's groundout and scored the go-ahead run on a safety squeeze by Gonzalez that left both runners safe.

Video: HOU@CLE: Gonzalez plates go-ahead run on squeeze bunt

"Obviously we're trying to score one run there, and Marwin's as good as anybody we have at that play," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "We have one of the fastest baserunners at third base. They're playing the infield in for a reason. The game's on the line. To be able to execute a play like that is huge."

Things kept unravelling for Allen, as he gave up a single to Yuli Gurriel, hit Evan Gattis with a pitch and walked Max Stassi with the bases loaded before being removed for Dan Otero. Although Otero stopped the eighth-inning rally, Houston poured on seven more runs in the ninth, highlighted by Gattis' two-run single and a towering Springer three-run homer to cap the scoring.

Video: HOU@CLE: Springer launches a 3-run home run to left

The Astros came into the game just 1-16 when trailing after seven innings, with the lone win coming on May 15 against the Angels. The comeback win secured the season series for the Astros, as they took a 4-1 lead with two games remaining.

"It seems like until we see the 27th out against us, we're going to keep playing," Altuve said. "We can hit homers with Springer, Bregman, Marwin. We can bunt. We can play defense. That's why this team is special: We do a little bit of everything."

Keuchel was excellent over six innings by generating 12 ground balls -- nine of which went for outs -- and striking out five, but he was outdueled by Kluber. The Indians' ace struck out seven, with no walks, and had only two innings with multiple baserunners.

Video: HOU@CLE: Keuchel fans 5, allows 2 runs in 6 innings

The Astros' saving grace vs. Kluber was that they worked his pitch count high enough to chase him after starting a rally in the seventh. They came up empty-handed when J.D. Davis grounded into a double play with the bases loaded, but they got to the Indians' bullpen in the eighth, a unit that now has a Major League-high 6.23 ERA.

"That's the key," Gonzalez said. "It's no secret that they're having a hard time right now. They have a pretty good bullpen, but they're having a hard time. When you have a pitcher like Kluber, you want to get him out as soon as possible. He threw the ball really good today, as always, but we got the best part of the game in the last three innings."

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Springer had an odd moment in the first inning after opening the game with a single to right field. On a 3-2 count to Bregman, the next hitter, Springer attempted to steal second base but pulled up early after Bregman struck out, perhaps thinking the pitch was ball four. Yan Gomes' throw beat him by so much that Springer turned around to head back to the dugout before being tagged out.

Video: HOU@CLE: Tribe turn strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out DP

"That was not a good play, and he knows it," Hinch said. "The point of that play is to just start the runners. Bregman's having a really good at-bat, but you've got to keep playing, and he knows it. He made a mental mistake."

• Astros' Springer, Gattis have bad luck on bases

HE SAID IT
"We won the latter half of the game pretty convincingly because we just continued to have really good at-bats. In the eighth inning, we had 10 quality at-bats. You put those at-bats together against the likes of Miller and Allen, that's a good sign." -- Hinch

UP NEXT
Lance McCullers Jr. had perhaps his best start of the season against the Indians on Sunday, when he threw seven innings of scoreless one-hit baseball. He struck out eight while issuing two walks. McCullers hasn't given up a home run in six straight starts. Carlos Carrasco starts for the Tribe at 6:15 p.m. CT on FOX.

BOSTON -- In an Interleague battle of East divisional leaders, it was the Red Sox who took the first game of their three-game set versus Atlanta, 6-2, by way of the long ball.

The Braves took the early advantage, getting to Eduardo Rodriguez when Nick Markakis plated two with a double in the top of the third inning for a 2-0 lead.

Though Boston's bats were dormant early versus Julio Teheran, registering just one hit through the first three innings, they figured out the Braves starter and homered their way right back into it.

Leading off the fourth, slugger J.D. Martinez connected on his 16th home run of the season, a missile which scraped the top of the front ledge of the Green Monster and momentarily pulled him even with teammate Mookie Betts for the Major League home run lead.

Video: ATL@BOS: Bogaerts crushes a solo homer to left field

Two batters later Xander Bogaerts would go the extra mile, clearing everything in left field with a projected 381-foot blast, according to Statcast™, that exited the park and landed on Landsdowne Street, pulling the Red Sox even at 2.

Boston would pull ahead in the fifth when Andrew Benintendi scored Jackie Bradley Jr., who hit a one-out triple to the triangle, with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Video: ATL@BOS: Betts clobbers his 17th homer, a 2-run jack

Betts gave Boston some breathing room with his 17th home run, a two-run shot in the seventh inning, and Mitch Moreland cleaned things up with a 443-foot solo blast to dead center in the eighth to cap the long-ball party

"It's good to see," said manager Alex Cora. "I do think that although sometimes we expand the strike zone, we're staying aggressive regardless of the count. Seeing a lot of two-strike homers. That's good to see. They did damage. They're doing a good job of it. Just hope we can continue it."

Video: ATL@BOS: Cora talks about offense in win over Braves

"Today, I don't think we had a ton of hits. But the ones we did have counted," Moreland added. "It's nice to never feel like you're out of the game. One swing of the bat can get you right back in it. It's a lot easier to put up crooked numbers that way. Hopefully we continue to build on that."

Rodriguez, who allowed six hits over the first three innings, settled in after the third, striking out four and allowing just two walks over the next 2 2/3 frames.

For his efforts, the left-hander was rewarded with his fifth win of the season after striking out seven in his 5 2/3 innings.

"I'm just thinking right now I've got to work on getting deeper in games," Rodriguez said. "Overall, it was really good, and all my pitches were working really good."

Video: ATL@BOS: Rodriguez fans Inciarte in the 6th inning

"He was working on that cutter to lefties, and he was getting away with it," said Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte. "That inning we scored the two runs, I felt it was a good time to score more runs. We put a good swing on it and couldn't find the holes. He did a good job tonight."

Teheran proved the tough-luck loser on the night after allowing only four hits over six innings.

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
While the four home runs were certainly key to the Red Sox's victory, a hit that came up one base short proved to be tantamount toward the cause. In the bottom of the fifth, with the game tied at 2 and one out, Bradley roped a first-pitch fastball to the triangle in center field and would come around to score the decisive run.

"We do feel offensively we're going to be better," said Cora. "There are certainly guys that struggle the first part of the season, but they're working at it and getting better. You can see the progress with Jackie."

Video: ATL@BOS: Benintendi plates Bradley Jr. on a sac fly

SOUND SMART
• This was the fourth time this season that Boston had four or more home runs in a game and third straight home game in which they hit at least three. They are 19-4 in games with multiple home runs this year.

• Over the last six games, the Red Sox's bullpen has not allowed a run in 18 1/3 innings.

HE SAID IT
"You ever see the Dragon Ball? We call them Goku and Vegeta. They do something crazy every time they go out there." -- Rodriguez, on what the team has been calling Martinez and Betts of late, referencing the Japanese anime show Dragon Ball Z

UP NEXT
The Red Sox will continue their three-game set versus the team that they shared this city with, albeit some time ago. Middleboro, Mass., native Sean Newcomb will make his Fenway Park debut Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET for the Braves against the team he grew up rooting for. Boston will counter with Drew Pomeranz, who has been unable to make it past four innings in each of his last two starts.

SEATTLE -- James Paxton continued his masterful May for the Mariners on Friday, firing seven innings of one-run ball as Seattle topped the Twins, 2-1, in the series opener at Safeco Field.

The big lefty held Minnesota to three hits with 11 strikeouts and no walks in a 103-pitch gem, putting his season record at 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA. In five starts this month, Paxton went 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 46 strikeouts and five walks in 38 innings, while throwing a no-hitter and the first two complete games of his career.

"What can you say?" said Mariners manager Scott Servais. "James Paxton is on a roll, just a dominating performance again tonight."

Video: MIN@SEA: Servais discusses Paxton's 11-K night

Twins rookie Fernando Romero was stingy as well, but gave up a pair of runs and five hits over seven innings. Run-scoring singles by Nelson Cruz in the first and Mitch Haniger in the sixth provided the run support for Paxton, who only was touched by a solo homer by Max Kepler leading off the fifth.

"I could see he was getting outs quick because I was getting back on the field pretty fast," Paxton said of Romero, a 23-year-old making just his fifth Major League start. "And the zeros were going up, so I knew it was going to be a low-run game and our boys did a great job getting those two runs for us."

Video: MIN@SEA: Haniger drives in Heredia with a single

The Twins have now seen Paxton twice this year -- a no-decision early in the season in the game best remembered for when an eagle landed on the Mariners' stoic southpaw during the pregame introductions and now the 29-year-old at his best.

They're glad they won't face Paxton again this season.

"It's pretty much what he's been doing all year, striking out the house," said Twins catcher Mitch Garver. "He's throwing the ball hard, mixing speeds, in and out. He kept us off balance. He's throwing the rise fastball up in the top of the zone, which is pretty tough to hit. It looks so appealing, you want to swing at it. But it's very hard to get your barrel on."

The Mariners have won eight of their last 11 games and their 30-20 record is the best 50-game start for the club since it opened 2003 at 32-18. Pitching has fueled the recent surge as the rotation has posted a 2.15 ERA over the past 11 games and the bullpen hasn't allowed a run over the last seven games.

Nick Vincent pitched a scoreless eighth and Edwin Diaz notched his 18th save, tied with the Rockies' Wade Davis for the most in the Majors.

Video: SEA@MIN: Diaz retires Escobar to record his 18th save

The Mariners have played five straight one-run games and are 4-1 in those contests despite totaling just 12 runs.

"We're finding a way to scratch one or two runs every day, I guess," said Cruz. "With the pitching we've had every day, it feels like it's enough. It's remarkable the way they've been pitching, starters and bullpen."

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Hits have been hard to come by recently for Cruz, who has been dealing with a bruised foot and elbow. But the big designated hitter got Seattle started early with his run-scoring single in the first to score Jean Segura, who had led off with an infield single and stole second. Cruz topped the American League with 119 RBIs last season, but had gone seven games without driving in a run and was just 2-for-22 in that span. He's now batting .225 with 19 RBIs on the year.

"He does need a few of those to drop in," said Servais. "Nelly will get going again. He's had too big a track record here. People know what he can do in the league, especially when he gets hot. But it starts off with little things. It doesn't start with a two- or three-homer night. It's a base hit here, it's taking a ball the other way. Nelly has hit a lot of balls hard, just in the ground lately. He hasn't been able to get the ball in the air much. Hopefully this gets him started a little. We need a big homestand from him, no doubt."

Video: MIN@SEA: Cruz opens the scoring with an RBI single

SOUND SMART
The Mariners are 14-8 on the season in one-run games, with the 14 wins the most in the Majors. As for the Twins? They're now 3-9 in one-run decisions.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
The Mariners missed out on another scoring opportunity in the fifth when Ryon Healy and Ben Gamel led off with singles off Romero, but Healy was thrown out trying to go from first to third on a perfect strike by Kepler from right field.

"I thought he made the right read," Servais said of Healy. "Max Kepler is probably the only right fielder in the league that throws him out. Off the bat I thought it was a no-brainer. I thought he'd make it. You never want to make the first out at third base. That's a cardinal rule in baseball. He did, but I thought it was the right read. Kepler has a very strong and accurate arm, he made a great play."

Video: SEA@MIN: Kepler throws out Healy from right field

HE SAID IT
"I think I got a little upset there, so I started letting it rip a little more." -- Paxton, after surrendering his lone run on the homer by Kepler

UP NEXT
Left-hander Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 2.65 ERA) gets the start in Saturday's 7:10 p.m. PT game against Twins right-hander Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.17). LeBlanc has allowed just three runs in 20 ⅓ innings in four starts -- including six scoreless innings on three hits at Minnesota on May 14 -- since stepping in for the injured Erasmo Ramirez.

NEW YORK -- Mike Trout belted his 16th home run of the season in the fifth inning of the Angels' 2-1 loss to the Yankees on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, tying the Red Sox's J.D. Martinez for the second-most in the Majors.

After walking in his first two plate appearances, Trout launched a 98.5 mph fastball from Yankees ace Luis Severino to the opposite field to tie the game, 1-1. The ball rocketed off his bat at 103.2 mph and traveled an estimated 375 feet to the second-deck stands in right field, according to Statcast™.

"It was a bad pitch," Severino said. "I was trying to go down, and I left it in the middle. He's a good hitter, and he hit a good fastball there."

Only Mookie Betts, who collected his 17th home run of the year against the Braves on Friday, has more homers than Trout and Martinez.

Tweet from @_dadler: Mike Trout came to Yankee Stadium and hit a Yankee Stadium home run: 103.2 mph, 32 degrees, 375 feet, tucked perfectly inside the right-field foul pole. pic.twitter.com/6xD9mXozp3

Trout's home run allowed Andrew Heaney to escape with a no-decision. The left-hander allowed only one run over 6 1/3 innings, on an RBI single by rookie Gleyber Torres in the second inning. Torres' home run in the seventh off of Jim Johnson ended up being the difference in the game.

Trout came up one more time after he homered, grounding out to Torres at second to lead off the eighth inning against David Robertson.

Trout is batting .324 with 10 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 21 RBIs in 136 career at-bats against the Yankees.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued to wow the baseball world on Friday night as the 19-year-old raised his Minor League-leading average to .435 by going 3-for-4 with his 10th homer of the season -- the second half of back-to-back jacks with fellow phenom Bo Bichette. The Blue Jays' top two prospects helped power Double-A New Hampshire to a 10-3 win over Hartford.

:: Complete prospect coverage ::

Guerrero (MLB's No. 2 overall prospect) and Bichette (No. 11) went deep on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning and combined to go 6-for-8 with six RBIs and five runs scored.

Guerrero has hits in 13 of his past 14 games and has reached base in 33 straight contests, the longest streak in the Eastern League this year. The youngest player in all of Double-A, Guerrero has strung together four straight multihit performances and is hitting .553 (21-for-38) over his past 10 games.

While Guerrero seemingly steals the headlines on a nightly basis, Bichette also had a big day, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs to go with his third homer of the year, a three-run shot. The 20-year-old infielder is off to a relatively slow start (.261/.337/.422) after hitting .362 last year to become the first teenager since 1963 to lead the Minors in batting average.

Watch: MiLB Video

The duo is often talked about together and has certainly given Blue Jays fans plenty of reason to be excited for the future. Friday's back-to-back homers marked the second time in as many nights that the organization's top two prospects went deep in the same inning, as they each homered in the fifth inning of Thursday's game as well.

While Guerrero and Bichette were providing the offense, Jon Harris (Blue Jays No. 30), gave up two unearned runs over 7 1/3 innings on the mound.

SEATTLE -- Any question about the Mariners' belief in their ability to contend even with Robinson Cano suspended for half the season was answered Friday when general manager Jerry Dipoto engineered a trade with the Rays to bolster his club's chances to compete in the tough American League West.

Dipoto improved both his bullpen and outfield with a two-for-two deal, acquiring Tampa Bay closer Alex Colome, veteran outfielder Denard Span and cash for Minor League starters Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero.

The Mariners had gone 6-3 since Cano's 80-game suspension and were 29-20 going into Friday's series opener with the Twins despite injuries to Dee Gordon, Nelson Cruz and Mitch Haniger.

Cruz and Haniger are back now, Gordon is about a week from returning and the club will add a power arm to the back of its bullpen and a veteran in Span who helps bolster the outfield now that Gordon has moved back to second base in Cano's absence.

"I think it's an awesome message that [despite] everything we've dealt with in the last 8 to 10 days here, that we're all in on this season," manager Scott Servais said. "That even though we had a setback with Robbie and the injury and suspension, it's not going to derail us. Our eyes are set on the goal and that's getting to the playoffs and I think this helps us."

The Mariners are adding roughly $10 million in remaining 2018 salary with the two veterans, but they had about $12 million of payroll open up with the suspension of Cano. According to the Associated Press, they're receiving $4.75 million in cash from the Rays as part of the deal.

"Denard Span's skill set fits our team quite well," Dipoto said. "And the impact we felt like we were getting in Alex Colome trumps what we thought we could get into in the starting pitching market, while leaving ourselves some wiggle room that if a starter or something otherwise is needed as we get [further] into the season, we still aren't entirely cut off. We have the ability to go for it if we can."

Video: MIN@SEA: Dipoto on Mariners acquiring Colome, Span

To make room on the 40-man roster, Seattle transferred right-handed pitcher David Phelps to the 60-day disabled list.

The Mariners already have an established closer in Edwin Diaz, but Colome adds another late-inning setup option to go with Juan Nicasio and Nick Vincent. The Mariners lost Phelps to Tommy John surgery this past spring, so Colome essentially fills that primary setup role.

Colome, a 29-year-old right-hander, was an All-Star in 2016 for the Rays when he posted a 1.91 ERA and 37 saves. He racked up a Major League-leading 47 saves with a 3.24 ERA last year.

Colome struggled early this season and has a 4.15 ERA with 11 saves and 23 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings over 23 appearances. But in his last 17 outings dating back to April 17, his ERA is 2.16 and opposing batters are hitting .194 against him.

Video: BOS@TB: Colome earns his 11th save as Rays win, 6-3

The six-year veteran is earning $5.3 million this season and has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining before becoming a free agent in 2021.

Span is in the final year of a contract that is paying him $11 million this year, with the Giants absorbing $2 million of that as part of their trade for Evan Longoria in December. Span does have a $12 million team option for 2019, with a $4 million buyout.

Span has primarily played center field throughout his 11-year career with the Twins, Nationals, Giants and Rays, putting up a career .282/.348/.396 line. But he's been in left much of this year for the Rays, and Dipoto indicated the veteran would play mostly left field for the Mariners as well.

"He's a pro," Dipoto said. "I'm sure his comfort zone would most likely be in center, but at the same time he's playing left for the Rays and I feel like that's the place he fits best for us and it gives Scott the ability with him and Mitch Haniger and Guillermo [Heredia] and Denard to have four outfielders who will play anywhere you need them to play.

"They can serve as a kind of rotating group and I'm sure on most days you'll see Haniger in right, Heredia in center and left field will be mostly Denard Span and that gives [Ben Gamel] the ability to roam and give the other guys a break and I'm sure he'll still be getting at-bats as if he were playing regularly."

Video: TB@BOS: Span rips inside-the-park HR vs. Price

Span has posted a.238/.364/.385 line with four homers and 28 RBIs in 43 games after the Tampa native was acquired from the Giants to play in his hometown last December.

"Obviously, we've been playing here better of late, but you know, this is part of the business," Span told reporters in Tampa Bay. "I'm just happy that I have a job and somebody wants me. So I'm looking forward to going to Seattle, even though it hasn't sunk in yet. I'm looking forward to this new challenge. …They're in a position to win. They saw an opportunity to get myself and Colome. They're trying to win over there."

To acquire the two veterans, the Mariners gave up a pair of young pitching prospects. Moore, who turns 24 next week, went 1-5 with a 5.34 ERA in 59 innings over 11 outings, including nine starts, last year for Seattle. The 2015 second-round Draft choice out of Oregon State is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA in nine starts for Double-A Arkansas this season.

Romero, 20, was a 15th-round Draft pick out of Eastern Florida State who has been impressive for Class A Clinton this season, going 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA in nine starts and striking out 54 batters in 44 innings. 

LOS ANGELES -- The surge continued Friday night with the Dodgers beating the Padres, 4-1, their seventh win in eight games, the roll taking place with 60 percent of the starting rotation on the disabled list.

It was Ross Stripling's turn to step up, again, with a career-high 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings, supported by Matt Kemp's three-run blast and a solo shot by Kiké Hernandez. Stripling started the season in the bullpen, but he's pitching like he wants to stay in the rotation.

That was always the plan for Stripling until he blew out his elbow in the spring of 2014. He had Tommy John surgery, was converted into a reliever and given only an occasional emergency start, all along hoping management would someday trust his ability, as well as his durability.

With Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu on the DL, maybe Stripling's time has finally come.

Against the Padres, he allowed only an unearned run on a Yasiel Puig misplay. He threw a career-high 105 pitches and issued no walks.

"At this level, you get guys out, you get more confident," said Stripling. "You first come up, 'OK, do I belong?' Then you start to log innings and you switch roles -- in my case -- and come back to the old role, you get some comfort and snowball some good outings in a row."

In his last three starts, Stripling has 26 strikeouts and no walks in 18 innings. On the season, he is 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA, 50 strikeouts and nine walks in 41 1/3 innings.

Video: SD@LAD: Roberts on Stripling's stellar outing in win

"Confidence," manager Dave Roberts said, when asked the secret to Stripling's sudden success. "His ability to attack the strike zone with any of his four pitches. He's got great tempo, he gets the grounder and strikeout when he needs to. The mound presence was always there, but the confidence is real."

In addition to Stripling, the Dodgers have received big-time starts lately from rookie Walker Buehler, veteran Kenta Maeda and tough-luck Alex Wood. Surviving three starters on the disabled list is a testament to the organizational starting pitching depth that was suspect going into the season.

"It's the starting pitching," Roberts said when discussing the last eight games, during which Dodgers pitchers have a posted a 1.38 ERA. "It takes the pressure off everyone. You get a rested bullpen. Get a lead early and not have to hit for the pitcher makes it a lot easier for everyone.

"It says a lot about the players and organization. Walker and Ross were sixth and seventh on the depth chart out of Spring Training. For those guys to play huge roles speaks a lot. These guys, every single time they take the mound, you expect to win. A lot of credit goes to those two guys."

Video: SD@LAD: Kemp cranks a 3-run homer to left-center

In the first, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner worked San Diego starter Clayton Richard for back-to-back walks on 3-2 pitches. Kemp then launched his three-run blast to center field, 410 feet with a 31-degree launch angle, according to Statcast™.

Kemp is 15-for-26 with four homers and 12 RBIs in six games against San Diego this year. After going 3-for-4 on the night, his batting average is .338.

"It's always good to win. Especially as bad as we started off," said Kemp. "We're having fun right now."

Video: SD@LAD: Kemp discusses win vs. Padres

SOUND SMART
Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth inning for his 11th save and fifth in the last week. Over his last 15 appearances, Jansen has allowed one earned run over 16 innings for a 0.56 ERA with 18 strikeouts.

Video: SD@LAD: Jansen fans Villanueva to earn 11th save

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
The Padres received a gift run courtesy of Puig in the top of the third inning. Manuel Margot led off with a double down the right-field line. Puig hustled to cut off the ball at the box-seat railing, but fumbled it. He stood disgustedly for a moment without reaching down for the ball, and when Margot saw that, he hustled to third, later scoring the unearned run on a one-out groundout by Travis Jankowski.

Roberts was not pleased.

"Initially, it started to be a great play, turning a double into a single, got to it, made a great effort play cutting the ball off," said Roberts.

But then…

"Once he didn't come up with it, he turned a physical mistake into a mental mistake and turned that double into a triple and cost us a run. The thing is, he's too good to have mental lapses like that, too good of a player."

Video: SD@LAD: Margot reaches third on Puig's fielding error

HE SAID IT
"When you have guys like Kershaw, Hyun-Jin and Rich go down, it's nice to have the depth. It's been fun to see guys go out and have success." -- Stripling

UP NEXT
With right-hander Jordan Lyles starting for the Padres Wood on Saturday, the Dodgers will likely return many of their left-handed hitters to the lineup for the 7:10 p.m. PT game. That includes former Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, second baseman Chase Utley and possibly Max Muncy, who has played both corners in the infield and outfield this season.

Here's a roundup of the latest injury news across the Majors.

Yoenis Cespedes, Mets
Cespedes took a significant step in his recovery from a strained right hip flexor, beginning a running progression on the field at Miller Park before the Mets' game against the Brewers. He had previously only been hitting and throwing. The 32-year-old slugger, who has been on the DL since May 14 after initially hurting the hip on May 6, is hitting .255/.316/.474 with eight home runs in 37 games this season. More >

Martin Prado, Marlins
Prado, who was limited to 37 games last season with hamstring injuries, limped off the field with a left hamstring strain after reaching first base on an error during Friday's game vs. the Nationals, exiting the contest in the sixth inning. He is listed as day to day. The 34-year-old infielder is slashing .194/.242/.226 in 24 games for Miami this season. More >

Video: WSH@MIA: Mattingly provides an update on Prado

Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, Dodgers
Kershaw and Hill are each slated to throw in a simulated game Saturday. Kershaw has been on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis and hasn't pitched in a game since May 1. He'll pitch four innings in the sim game, with a chance to show he's ready to pitch five days later rather than go out on a Minor League rehab assignment. Hill left his last start on May 19 after only two pitches due to a ruptured blister on his pitching hand, and he has been limited to 24 2/3 innings this season due to blisters. More >

Dee Gordon, Mariners
Gordon took ground balls and did some pregame infield work prior to Seattle's series opener with Minnesota at Safeco Field. The second baseman was placed on the 10-day DL with a broken right big toe last Monday, and he's eligible to come off the DL on Thursday.

"It's calmed down, which is exactly what we were hoping would happen," manager Scott Servais said. "We needed to give it some time. Originally, I thought it would be only about 10 days. Everybody said I'm crazy. I still think it's going to be the 10-day period and you can still call me crazy, but I think that's what we're looking at." More >

Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays
Tulowitzki has been cleared by doctors to take the next step in his rehab from surgery to remove bone spurs from both feet, but is still "a ways away" from returning to the Blue Jays, according to manager John Gibbons. Tulowitzki, whose 2017 season ended due to a right ankle injury last July, has been cleared to run on flat ground. The 33-year-old shortstop hit .249/.300/.378 with seven home runs in 66 games for Toronto last season. More >

Mark Trumbo, Orioles
Trumbo injured his right knee earlier in the week during a game against the White Sox in Chicago, and an MRI on Friday revealed arthritis and runner's knee, but no structural damage. Trumbo had missed the beginning of the season with a hamstring injury, has hit .309/.317/.469 with seven doubles and two homers. More >

Bradley Zimmer, Indians
Zimmer could return to the Indians sooner than initially expected, according to manager Terry Francona. The 25-year-old center fielder suffered a left rib contusion on May 15 when he slammed into the wall in right-center field at Yankee Stadium trying to make a play. Zimmer is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Saturday. Fellow outfielders Brandon Guyer (left cervical strain) and Lonnie Chisenhall (right calf strain) will also have rehab stints with Akron this weekend. More >

Daniel Murphy and Brian Goodwin, Nationals
Murphy will be heading out on a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday. The 33-year-old second baseman underwent right knee surgery last October after hitting .322/.384/.543 with a National League-best 43 doubles and 23 homers in 144 games for Washington.

"That's great news for us and definitely headed in the right direction," said manager Dave Martinez, who noted that Murphy has played sparingly in extended spring games because of the weather and an illness. "He's played the last couple of days, four or five innings, and now he's ready for a rehab assignment."

Goodwin, who has been on the DL with a left wrist contusion, will join Murphy in a rehab stint with Harrisburg. The 27-year-old outfielder is hitting .250 (6-for-24) with a homer and two steals in 13 games this season. More >

Starling Marte, Pirates
Marte, who has been sidelined with a right oblique strain, ran the bases, took early batting practice and went through a full pregame workout Friday. Pittsburgh's center fielder is eligible to come off the DL on Saturday, and depending on how he feels, may be activated then. Marte got off to a strong start to the season at the plate prior to the injury, hitting .308/.366/.503 with six homers and 10 steals in 41 games. More >

Carlos Rodon, White Sox
Rodon was making a rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte when he was hit in the forehead by a third-inning line drive Thursday night. He had a laceration that required staples, but is on track to make his next rehab start as he gets closer to returning to the White Sox following offseason left shoulder surgery. More >

Ryan Madson, Nationals
Madson was placed on the 10-day DL (retroactive to May 17) with a strained pectoral muscle and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday. The right-hander hasn't pitched since May 13, due in part to weather postponements, so it's unclear how the injury developed. Though he has a 4.19 ERA this season, his FIP is 2.16. More >

Khris Davis, Athletics
Davis exited Sunday's 9-2 victory over the Blue Jays in Toronto in the fourth inning with a strained right groin. He appeared to sustain the injury during a check-swing before jogging slowly to first base on a double-play grounder.

Manager Bob Melvin said he didn't yet know of any return timetable for Davis, who is slashing .238/.310/.503 with 13 homers. Davis will be evaluated before Tuesday's home series opener vs. Seattle. More >

Video: OAK@TOR: Davis exits game with leg injury in the 4th

COMPTON, Calif. -- For Jayden Clark, the opportunity to showcase her skills and learn from Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch at the annual Softball Breakthrough Series helped the Florida prep athlete achieve her dream of playing college softball.

Clark was on the verge of giving up on the game before attending a Softball Breakthrough Series event last year, where Finch delivered a pep talk that steered the teen back into the sport she loves.

"I was quitting, because it just wasn't sticking with me and I felt like I was going into a slump," said Clark, who is now committed to playing softball at South Florida State College. "But when I met Jennie -- she has the best personality all the way around. She just told me to not get down on myself. She understood what I was going through.

"She also gave me her glasses, and ever since then, I haven't dropped a ball in the outfield with them. That's my good-luck charm."

Clark was one of 60 high-school softball players from 18 states and Puerto Rico who were invited to participate in this year's Softball Breakthrough Series, held at Major League Baseball's Youth Academy in Compton. It's a special development camp operated by MLB and USA Softball that serves as a showcase for college recruiters.

Tweet from @JALaymance: Pitching lessons from @JennieFinch at today's Softball Breakthrough Series development camp in Compton. @MLB_YA @USASoftball pic.twitter.com/uWoGZ6ItGI

"For these young ladies, it's just being out here meeting girls from all over the country and sharing the struggles, sharing the excitement for the game," said Finch, the youth softball ambassador for MLB. "Sports are so important. For these girls to have this opportunity to come out and learn from the best, it's way beyond the softball field. It's life lessons, it's an experience they will never forget."

Finch and her fellow softball Olympians know all about success and struggles, but it's important for the next generation of athletes to understand that failure can lead to triumph.

"We're all going to fail, and that's what we tried to tell them: We're Olympians, yes, but we've failed, we've probably failed more than you've tried," Finch said. "That's what it takes and that's what builds and shapes the character that you are. Don't be afraid to fail."

An extension of the Baseball Breakthrough Series, which was established in 2008, the Softball Breakthrough Series is completely expense-free for participants. Attendees showcase their skills to college recruiters while receiving on-field instruction and presentations from some of the nation's top softball figures.

Friday's workouts, part of a five-day program, featured defensive and offensive drills and breakout sessions with instructors, including baserunning, situational offense and defense and hitting. The workouts continue through Sunday before the participants play in exhibition games.

In addition to the on-field action, participants receive daily presentations from notable figures connected to baseball and softball. The presentations provide mentorship, tips on the collegiate recruiting process and information about careers within the baseball industry.

"Ultimately, we use this game for a bigger, better purpose," Finch said. "It's the determination, it's the grit, it's the sacrifice, it's the teamwork, it's the leadership skills, all of those things that will help them beyond softball and in life, no matter if they're playing or not playing."

This first-round projection looks an awful lot like my previous one from two weeks ago, with only the fourth and fifth picks flipping among the first nine. And it closely resembles Jonathan Mayo's predictions from last week, with our first seven selections matching.

:: 2018 Draft coverage ::

That's not to say the top of the Draft is locking into place. While Auburn right-hander Casey Mize remains the front-runner to go No. 1 overall, the Tigers still are considering four alternatives. It continues to look like college players will monopolize the first six picks, and clubs are busy scurrying from conference tournament to conference tournament this week to evaluate them, and others who will fit later in the first round.

Further complicating matters is the high school pitching. It's plentiful, with at least 11 legitimate first-round candidates, but it's also a demographic that scares a lot of clubs because of the risk involved. All 11 won't go in the first round, several will go lower than where their talent alone will dictate and three of them (Mason Denaburg, Ethan Hankins, Mike Vasil) missed time this spring with physical ailments.

Ten days away from the start of the Draft, here's our best guess as to how the first round plays out:

1. Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn

Mize's last two regular-season starts were his worst of the year, but his combination of stuff and precision is still unparalleled in this Draft. Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart appears to be Plan B, and Detroit also is keeping tabs on Wichita State third baseman Alec Bohm, Wisconsin high school outfielder Jarred Kelenic and Florida right-hander Brady Singer.

2. Giants: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech

Mize and Bart, easily the best catcher available, likely will go 1-2 or 2-1. If San Francisco decides to take a deep discount to save extra money for later picks, it could cut a deal with California high school right-hander Cole Winn.

Video: Draft Report: Joey Bart, College catcher

3. Phillies: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State

All of the teams in the top four are doing their due diligence on Bohm, the consensus best college position player in terms of hitting for both average and power. Philadelphia almost certainly will take a college performer, with Oregon State second baseman Nick Madrigal and Singer the other leading candidates.

4. White Sox: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida

If the top three picks unfold as expected, Chicago will choose between Kelenic, Madrigal, Singer and South Alabama outfielder Travis Swaggerty. MLB Pipeline's No. 1-rated prospect entering the year, Singer would be the best fit for the White Sox current needs, not that need will drive a choice this high.

5. Reds: Nick Madrigal, 2B, Oregon State

Cincinnati would pounce on Bart or Singer. If that's not an option, the choice will come down to Madigral, Arizona prep left-hander Matthew Liberatore and Jonathan India. Madrigal is the best hitter in the Draft, just like Nick Senzel was when the Reds made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2016.

Video: Draft Report: Nick Madrigal, College 2B/SS

6. Mets: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida

Unless one of the five selections above unexpectedly drops, New York will consider India, Kelenic, Liberatore and Swaggerty. The Mets are leaning college and that probably means India, who had a breakout season as the Southeastern Conference player of the year.

7. Padres: Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (Glendale, Ariz.)

The run on collegians figures to stop here, though San Diego does like Swaggerty. The Padres are expected to choose from the top tier of high school arms: Liberatore, right-hander Carter Stewart (Florida), left-hander Ryan Weathers (Tennessee) and Winn. Liberatore is the consensus top prep pitching prospect, but all four guys are in play.

8. Braves: Nolan Gorman, 3B, O'Connor HS (Phoenix)

Atlanta is associated with mostly high schoolers. The Braves appear to prefer Gorman -- the best power hitter in the Draft, but also a bit of a polarizing prospect who might slide into the mid-teens if he doesn't go here -- to Kelenic. The prep pitchers also will be in play, starting with Weathers.

Video: Draft Report: Nolan Gorman, High School 3B

9. Athletics: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama

Oakland looks destined to take a position player, though Liberatore could change that. Swaggerty has some of the best all-around tools in the college ranks and gets the nod over Kelenic and Gorman.

10. Pirates: Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS (Nacogdoches, Texas)

Rodriguez has more helium than any first-rounder right now, which could vault him all the way into the top 10 to a club focusing on high school arms. Stewart, Weathers and Winn also are in Pittsburgh's mix.

11. Orioles: Cole Winn, RHP, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS

Baltimore is targeting the same prep pitchers as Pittsburgh. If the Orioles go for a college arm, this could be the high-water mark for Stetson right-hander Logan Gilbert.

12. Blue Jays: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha (Wis.) West HS

Every Draft has a guy who seems to be considered by several teams, but doesn't quite make it to their top choice, and this year that may be Kelenic. The best high school hitter available, he may not be able to overcome the preference for collegians at the top or for prep arms right ahead of Toronto. If he's gone, the Blue Jays are on more prep bats such as Gorman, outfielder/wide receiver Jordyn Adams (North Carolina) and others who could drop into the 20s if they don't go 12 or 13: shortstop Xavier Edwards (Florida), third baseman Jordan Groshans (Texas) and catcher Noah Naylor (Canada).

Video: Draft Report: Jarred Kelenic, High School outfielder

13. Marlins: Triston Casas, 1B, American Heritage School (Plantation, Fla.)

Miami is pursuing a lot of the same high school bats as Toronto, as well as two more in Casas, who has power to rival Gorman's, and outfielder Connor Scott (Florida).

14. Mariners: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi

After sliding out of the top 10 and possibly into the 20s, Rolison reversed course with a strong outing Wednesday at the SEC tournament. The best bet is that Seattle takes him or one of the other college arms on the second tier behind Mize and Singer: Gilbert, Florida right-hander Jackson Kowar and South Florida left-hander Shane McClanahan. The Mariners likely would take one of the college hitters projected above here and possibly Oregon State outfielder Trevor Larnach.

15. Rangers: Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Gallie HS (Melbourne, Fla.)

With a fastball that reaches 98 mph and a super-spin curveball, Stewart shouldn't last 15 picks, but high school right-handers often last longer than they should. If he's gone, Winn or Weathers also would be attractive.

Video: Draft Report: Carter Stewart, High School pitcher

16. Rays: Connor Scott, OF, Plant HS (Tampa)

Tampa Bay is another club in the market for high school bats. The Rays have three first-round choices and the second-largest bonus pool at $12,415,600, so they're in great position to make a run at Adams, who is signed to play football at North Carolina, where his father Deke is a defensive line coach. Or they could take another speedy outfielder in Scott and save their cash for later picks.

17. Angels: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto (Tenn.) HS

College arms such as Gilbert, Kowar and McClanahan would be tempting, but Weathers would be hard to pass up. Los Angeles also has shown interest in Adams and Georgia prep right-hander Ethan Hankins, MLB Pipeline's top-rated high school prospect, until he battled a muscular issue in the area of his pitching shoulder.

18. Royals: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (Cary, N.C.)

Kansas City can match Tampa Bay's three first-rounders and has the largest bonus pool at $12,781,900. If the Royals want Adams, they probably have to take him here to ensure they get him. The same is true of Groshans, whom they have covered heavily. One of the top-tier high school arms would be hard to pass up if they got to 18.

19. Cardinals: Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson

Unless some of the first tier of prep pitchers lasts longer than expected, the second tier of college arms should start to come off the board around here. St. Louis gets mentioned mostly with pitchers ...

20. Twins: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida

... as does Minnesota, which wouldn't be adverse to a high school arm, but figures to be mostly looking at collegians. The Twins also are monitoring a number of high school shortstops such as Edwards, Jeremiah Jackson (Alabama) and Osiris Johnson (California) -- but apparently not the more expensive Brice Turang (California).

21. Brewers: Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida

A lefty who can hit 100 mph and mix in a plus changeup, McClanahan looked to be solidly in the 6-12 range until he started scuffling with his control and command over his last six starts. Falling this far might be a bit extreme. Milwaukee isn't wed to any particular demographic and is one of several landing spots for Larnach in the 20s.

Video: Draft Report: Shane McClanahan, College pitcher

22. Rockies: Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage HS (Ringgold, Ga.)

Wilcox has the potential for three plus pitches and isn't far behind the top group of high school pitchers. Colorado also has been tied to another Georgia prepster, switch-hitting and switch-throwing catcher Anthony Seigler.

23. Yankees: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (Corona, Calif.)

Turang was mentioned as a candidate to go No. 1 overall entering last summer, and while he hasn't lived up to those expectations, he's still a talented shortstop in a Draft thin at that position. A variety of high school position players get mentioned with New York, including Adams, Casas, Edwards and outfielder Mike Siani (Pennsylvania).

24. Cubs: Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State

Chicago has had a lot of success taking the best college bat available in the first round, which would make Larnach a fit. The Cubs would love for one of the prime college or high school arms to get to No. 24. They're also the peak for players such as Indiana high school outfielder Nick Schnell or Stanford shortstop Nico Hoerner, though this would be a bit high for both.

25. D-backs: Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma

A year after taking an accomplished college bat in Pavin Smith at No. 7, Arizona could go the same route with Walker. Other college position player options include Clemson first baseman Seth Beer, Duke outfielder Griffin Conine, Missouri State shortstop Jeremy Eierman, Larnach and Virginia outfielder Jake McCarthy. It's no secret that the D-backs love prep shortstop Matt McLain, but No. 25 is rich for him.

Video: Draft Report: Steele Walker, College outfielder

26. Red Sox: Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia (Texas) HS

Unless someone with a higher ceiling slides, Boston could grab one of the better all-around high school bats in Groshans. The Red Sox probably would consider several of the college position players mentioned with the D-backs above.

27. Nationals: Mason Denaburg, RHP, Merritt Island (Fla.) HS

Washington has had a lot of success buying low on pitchers with physical questions such as Lucas Giolito (first round, 2012), Erick Fedde (first round, 2014) and Jesus Luzardo (third round, 2016). That makes it an obvious target for Denaburg (biceps tendintis), Hankins and Massachusetts high school right-hander Mike Vasil (elbow soreness). Back on the mound Tuesday, Denaburg struck out Casas twice and showed the same upper-first-round form he displayed before getting sidelined.

28. Astros: Alek Thomas, OF, Mount Carmel HS (Chicago)

A run of high school outfielders should start around here. Adams and Scott won't last much longer if they haven't been taken, while Parker Meadows (Georgia), Schnell, Siani and Thomas may not get to pick No. 40. Naylor and Seigler are two non-outfield possibilities.

Video: Draft Report: Alek Thomas, HS outfielder

29. Indians: Noah Naylor, C, St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS (Mississauga, Ont.)

Cleveland has two selections toward the end of the first round and could double up on prep bats unless one of the premium high school arms makes his way to No. 29. Besides Naylor, the Indians also are watching the outfield group mentioned with the Astros, plus Edwards and Georgia high school catchers Will Banfield and Seigler.

30. Dodgers: Jameson Hannah, OF, Dallas Baptist

An outfielder is a good guess for Los Angeles, whether it be sweet-swinging collegians Hannah or Walker or one of the high schoolers.

31. Rays: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Cumming, Ga.)

Hankins does have a clean MRI and could go much higher than this, though only Kansas City can match Tampa Bay's ability to pay him. If the Rays take a pitcher at 18 and Adams is still on the board, he'd be an obvious choice.

Video: Draft Report: Ethan Hankins, High School pitcher

32. Rays: Seth Beer, 1B, Clemson

Scouts either love Beer's track record of production or hate his all-bat profile and lack of success with wood bats. He'll go in the first round somewhere and there's buzz that he could land in the top 20, but he's a total wild card.

33. Royals: Anthony Seigler, C, Cartersville (Ga.) HS

Groshans would be the guy if he gets this far, which probably won't happen. Seigler has the up-the-middle athleticism Kansas City covets. The Royals also could take a shortstop such as Oregon State's Cadyn Grenier or Jackson.

34. Royals: Mike Vasil, RHP, Boston College HS (Boston)

Kansas City figures to take at least one pitcher with its three first-rounders. Vasil looked healthy while touching 95 mph on Tuesday. The Royals also could grab high school right-handers J.T. Ginn (Mississippi) or Kumar Rocker (Georgia), who have first-round arms and will command those type of bonuses even if they slide into the second round.

35. Indians: Xavier Edwards, SS, North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.)

The high demand for shortstops and the relatively short supply makes it increasingly unlikely that Edwards and his all-around skills make it out of the first round.