Yankees plan Friday tribute to Steinbrenner  —  NEW YORK—The Yankees plan a Friday night tribute to George Steinbrenner when the team returns home for the first time since the owner's death.  —  The team said Thursday there will be pregame tributes to Steinbrenner and longtime public address …

Ramirez, Cubs clobber Phillies  —  The Sports Network  —  Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Aramis Ramirez wiped the slate clean from a dreadful first half, driving in four to set the tone of Chicago's 12-6 victory over Philadelphia in the first of four games at Wrigley Field.

Los Angeles Dodgers activate Manny Ramirez from disabled list  —  ST. LOUIS — As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers activated left fielder Manny Ramirez from the 15-day disabled list Thursday and immediately inserted him into the starting lineup, batting fourth, for the team's second-half opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Raissman: Waldman won Boss over  —  Yankees radio announcer Suzyn Waldman cultivated unique relationship with owner George Steinbrenner  —  Prior to her time with John Sterling in the Yankees' radio booth, Suzyn Waldman worked for WFAN, which is where her relationship with George Steinbrenner (b.) got its start.

Giants ink Willis to Minor League deal  —  SAN FRANCISCO — In the midst of a year in which he had already been designated for assignment by two teams before the All-Star break, Dontrelle Willis was ready to sit out the remainder of the 2010 season.  —  Then, the Giants came calling …

Heyward helps Jurrjens as Braves beat Brewers, 2-1  —  The Atlanta Braves' new shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, left, prepares to throw after fielding a ground ball as second baseman Martin Prado looks on during batting practice for the Braves' baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Turner Field in Atlanta on Thursday, July 15, 2010.

Orioles' dismal 1st half: ‘A giant step backward’  —  BALTIMORE (AP) -A wretched first half has taken much of the mystery out of the 2010 season for the Baltimore Orioles.  —  The possibility of securing a winning record for the first time in 13 years ended with a 2-16 start …

Words don't hurt Ozzie  —  Guillen takes no offense to Williams' dig about fighting  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Leave it to White Sox general manager Ken Williams to turn a mundane pregame clubhouse into a Jerry Springer audience.  —  Appearing on ESPN's “Pardon the Interruption” on Thursday afternoon …

Lincecum, Giants shut down Mets 2-0  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum pitched a six-hitter for his fourth career shutout and Pablo Sandoval hit an RBI double to help the San Francisco Giants open the second half of the season with a 2-0 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday night.

Reds Seek Right-Handed Reliever  —  The first-place Reds are looking to add a right-handed reliever, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter).  Cincinnati leads the NL Central, but their bullpen (4.45 ERA) could use help.  Francisco Cordero, Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek …

Cardinals Give John Mozeliak a Three-Year Extension  —  The Cardinals will hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon where they will formally announce that general manager John Mozeliak will receive a three-year contract extension.  The news wasn't expected but it doesn't come as much of a surprise either.