Elephant Rumblings: After series win in Anaheim, A’s head to Texas

A’s Coverage:

• Slusser: A’s offense buzzing in win at Anaheim...
• Gallegos: Fiers saves bullpen with 6 strong frames...
• Slusser: A’s Jharel Cotton has hamstring surgery, will pitch again this year...
• Slusser: A’s send Mengden down, to call up Blackburn on Saturday...
• Footer: Here are the AL West All-Star sleepers...
• Slusser: A’s Bob Melvin says he probably should have challenged call at second base...

Best of AN:

• Urquhart: Game #63 — A’s Bounce Back in Anaheim...
• Hall: Oakland A’s injury update — Jharel Cotton undergoes surgery on hamstring...
• Hall: Oakland A’s recall Ryan Dull, option Daniel Mengden...
• Iversen: Quick Look — Ramón Laureano is more than just an arm...

MLB News:

• O’Brien: Braves sign lefty Dallas Keuchel to one year, $13 million deal...
• Nicholson-Smith: Blue Jays extend contract of GM Ross Atkins beyond 2019 season...
• Divish: Before Mike Leake tossed complete game vs. Astros, Mariners were discussing trade with Diamondbacks...
• Hoch: Shortstop Didi Gregorius to join Yanks for ‘19 debut Friday vs. Cleveland...
• Newman: Rockies to activate outfielder Charlie Blackmon on Friday...

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Rosenthal: The Rays came in second in the Kimbrel bidding, but still figure to reinforce their roster... ($)
• Law: Draft heist of the century? How Mike Trout fell to the Angels...
• Gammons: The manager role has changed, so why are they still scapegoats for a team’s failure? ($)
• The Bowden Big Board: A position-by-position look at the best trade targets available... ($)
• Baumann: They’re Thick and They Carry a Big Stick...
• Longenhagen and McDaniel: Draft Odds & Ends...
• Fink: Max Scherzer Has Allowed More Groundballs, but Is That a Good Thing?

Today in Baseball History:

• 1966 — The New York Mets, picking first in the June free-agent draft, pass up Arizona State outfielder Reggie Jackson to select catcher Steve Chilcott. Chilcott will retire after six years in the minors and will be the first number-one pick to never play in the major leagues. The Kansas City Athletics take Jackson with the second pick.
• 1994 — Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics collects his 1,100th career stolen base.

Best of Twitter:

• Despite skipping BP, the A’s still stung the ball on Thursday night...

• Marlins Twitter making the best of a bad situation...

• Oops...