Aramis Ramirez softens trade stance  —  MILWUAKEE — Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez may be softening his stance that he would veto any trade that had him leaving the city, but as of Thursday the Cubs did not appear to be looking to move him.  —  When asked Thursday if he would waive …

Bedard watch heating up  —  Mariners lefty a trade target  —  Josh Beckett searches for answers during the Royals' four-run uprising in the fourth inning.  (John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)  —  The Red Sox will be watching closely tonight when Erik Bedard takes the mound for the Mariners against the Rays.

Daily Rumble: Padres narrowing focus  —  Heath Bell could be on the move, with Mike Adams and Ryan Ludwick not far behind … Carlos Beltran?  Gone.  Colby Rasmus?  Gone.  Edwin Jackson?  Moving on again — as he does every year at this time.  So here at the Daily Rumble, we know exactly what you're thinking ...

Phils making progress toward Pence  —  FOX Sports  —  The Phillies are making progress in their efforts to acquire Astros right fielder Hunter Pence, but there is a caveat, according to major-league sources.  —  The teams will need to reach agreement by Friday, or the Astros will move …

Tim Lincecum goes 6 scoreless, Giants beat Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA - Tim Lincecum threw six scoreless innings, Pablo Sandoval hit a solo homer and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Thursday night in their first game with Carlos Beltran.

McCutchen homers, drives in three as Pirates beat Braves  —  ATLANTA — Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including a go-ahead double in the fifth inning and a two-run homer in the ninth, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Thursday night for a split of the four-game series.

Encarnacion, Thames homer as Jays beat Orioles  —  TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames hit back-to-back homers and J.P. Arencibia hit a two-run double in a four-run third inning as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 Thursday.  —  Encarnacion also had a single …

Hideki Irabu found dead; suicide suspected  —  This is just breaking and, at present, we only have links to stories in Japanese, but apparently former Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead at his California home yesterday.  Suicide is suspected.  —  Irabu has had a troubled post-baseball career.

Jamie McCourt-Ron Burkle ‘deal’ is denied  —  One of Jamie McCourt's lawyers says his client doesn't have a pact with billionaire Ron Burkle, or anyone, to buy Dodgers.  —  Did Jamie McCourt enlist billionaire Ron Burkle in her efforts to buy out her ex-husband Frank McCourt as owner of the Dodgers?

Harrison wins, Rangers earn series split with win over Twins  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Matt Harrison worked into the eighth inning to cap his unbeaten July for AL West-leading Texas and won a pitcher's duel against Minnesota's Scott Baker in the Rangers' 4-1 victory Thursday night.

Johan makes 1st rehab, says he ‘felt good,’ with video  —  According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Santana's next start should be on six days rest, again with Single-A St. Lucie versus Jupiter on Wednesday.  —  Update, 8:01 pm  —  Original Post, 7:46 PM:

Tigers, Nats discussing trade for RHP  —  FOX Sports  —  The Tigers, unable to land their top pitching targets, are discussing a trade for Nationals right-hander Jason Marquis, according to major-league sources.  —  Marquis, 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA, is in the second year of a two-year contract …

SPORTS BASEBALL  —  Rasmus' dad blasts Tony La Russa  —  Former St. Louis Cardinals' outfielder Colby Rasmus was traded to the Blue Jays on Wednesday.  (GETTY IMAGES)  —  Report an error  —  TORONTO - … Not so, says the man supposedly in Rasmus' ear.

An Underachieving Symbol of the Mets' Lost Decade  —  A full decade has come and gone since the Mets' last pennant in 2000.  —  When Mets fans think of the scrappy bunch that put together that pennant, they might even gloss over the powerful Mike Piazza and smilingly recall appealing characters …