As Angels tumble, Arte Moreno defends his turf  —  PHOENIX - Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno plops down at the breakfast diner, orders the bacon-turkey cheese omelette, heaps on the salsa, and wishes it wasn't 7:30 in the morning.  —  “I love my beer,” Moreno says.  “Beer makes me smarter.”

Tigers' Justin Verlander likely ineligible to pitch in All-Star Game; Max Scherzer a strong candidate to start  —  DETROIT — Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander won't know if he'll be invited to his sixth All-Star Game until the rosters are unveiled July 6.

Padres interested in Orioles RHP Arrieta  —  Among the packed house at Petco Park Saturday afternoon were a number of scouts from other major league teams.  —  Baltimore, Philadelphia and Toronto apparently have interest in Padres starting pitcher Edinson Volquez while Kansas City might …

Yankees' Alex Rodriguez will begin minor league rehab assignment, return to Bronx is coming soon  —  Rodriguez, who is embroiled in Major League Baseball's investigation into alleged steroid provider Anthony Bosch, can return to game action a week from Monday, according to his doctors.

Mo on starting ASG: 'I'd rather pitch in ninth'  —  Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he'd prefer to take on his customary role and close the All-Star Game on July 16 at Citi Field rather than start the Midsummer Classic.  —  Rivera plans to retire after this season, and there has been buzz …

Loney gets two-run single in 7th to help Rays beat Yankees  —  NEW YORK — James Loney hit a tiebreaking two-run single with two outs in the seventh inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 3-1 on Sunday.  —  Chris Archer pitched six innings of one-run ball for his first win …

Werth pulls left groin, hopes to avoid missing time  —  WASHINGTON — Right fielder Jayson Werth left Sunday's game against the Rockies in the fourth inning after pulling his left groin.  He doesn't expect to go on the disabled list and hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday.

Trio of Angels relievers set for extended spring  —  ANAHEIM — When the Angels depart on a six-game road trip through Detroit and Houston, a trio of injured relievers will report to Arizona for treatment.  —  Sean Burnett (left elbow impingement), Robert Coello (right shoulder inflammation) …

D-backs' Hill to return for road opener vs. Nats  —  PHOENIX — Arizona will get a big boost to its lineup Tuesday when the club begins a 10-game road trip in Washington.  D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said Aaron Hill would be activated from the disabled list after the team's 4-2 loss to the Reds.

Leaving Arizona Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra off the All-Star ballot looks foolish now  —  Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra, right, celebrates with Pat Corbin (46) in the sixth inning after hitting a two-run home run against Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake.  —  FONT:  —  By Tyler Killian

Keep voting for Wright, who overtakes Panda  —  NEW YORK — The Mets are doing everything in their power to make David Wright the National League's starting All-Star third baseman, and their efforts appear to be working.  —  Wright has overtaken San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval for the voting lead …

Yadier Molina is a player to build around  —  Yadier Molina may now be the best all-around player in the game.  That's the sentiment expressed by the 30 baseball people we talked to (a combination of owners, general managers, scouts, players, and coaches) who were posed this question …