A ringing endorsement?
Baseball is expected to return to the Olympic Games in 2020, with final approval from the International Olympic Committee scheduled for August. Baseball last appeared in the Olympics in 2008. The last two winning pitchers were Dodgers: Brett Anderson in the bronze medal game, for Team USA; Hyun-Jin Ryu in the gold medal game, for South Korea. … Clayton Kershaw could become the first pitcher with more victories than walks since Bret Saberhagen in 1994. Other than Kershaw and Saberhagen, no major leaguer has accomplished that feat since 1919. Kershaw had seven victories and five walks through Friday’s games. … Also from High Heat Sports: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner has 11 home runs in his last 190 plate appearances, through Thursday. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper also each had 11 home runs in their last 190 plate appearances. … Nolan Arenado, who might be Kershaw’s stiffest competition for NL MVP, unleashed a dugout tirade Friday, as his Colorado Rockies lost for the 12th time in 16 games. What did he say? “I can’t repeat a lot of that,” Arenado said. … In March, the St. Louis Cardinals signed second baseman Kolten Wong to a five-year, $25-million contract extension. He’s about to go to the bench, as the Cardinals put Jhonny Peralta at third base and move Matt Carpenter to second. … The Chicago Cubs’ Dexter Fowler has led off 24 games by reaching base, the major league leader in that category, through Friday’s games. The American League leader: the Angels’ Yunel Escobar, who has led off 23 games by reaching base.