Rangers Sign No. 7 International Prospect Yeyson Yrizarri  —  Shortstop Yeyson Yrizarri, the No. 7 international prospect for July 2, has signed with the Rangers for $1,350,000.  —  Yrizarri, 16, is 6 feet, 175 pounds and made a strong impression on some teams with his short …

Amaro weighs trade options with mediocre Phillies  —  When the Phillies boarded their charter plane bound for Pittsburgh on Sunday, it was still June in Los Angeles.  The illusion of contention had not wilted with one moribund series at Dodger Stadium.  A 13-15 month of mediocrity accomplished that.

Sources say Braves, Giants interested in Yankees' Chamberlain  —  According to a pair of American League talent evaluators, the Braves and Giants have an interest in Joba Chamberlain.  —  Braves scout Jim Fregosi watched Chamberlain pitch a scoreless inning Friday night in Baltimore, when his fastball was clocked in the mid-90s.

Bryce Harper's return takes a weight off Nationals' shoulders  —  Three hours before Bryce Harper's return from the disabled list after 31 missed games, Nats reliever Drew Storen couldn't contain his imagination.  —  “It'd be just like Harp to hit a home run his first at-bat.

D-backs pay tribute to fallen firefighters in Arizona  —  Club raising money for victims' families, will wear patch remainder of season  —  NEW YORK — Derrick Hall's disappointment with the recent on-field results of his team disappeared in a flash Sunday as news spread that 19 Arizona firefighters lost …

Alex Rodriguez — MLB's Steroid Investigators to View Alleged Smoking Gun in Scandal  —  Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun's ears should be burning — baseball investigators are about to sit down with the whistleblower who claims he can prove they purchased performance enhancing drugs from a Miami clinic ... TMZ has learned.

Dodgers will spend again to improve, but improving farm system is key  —  The Dodgers have the resources to increase payroll, but team President Stan Kasten wants the farm system to be strong enough that midseason trades aren't necessary.  —  Dodgers President Stan Kasten admits there's …

Tampa Bay's Moore Dominates Astros in 12-0 Win  —  HOUSTON — Matt Moore allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings for his 11th win, and Ryan Roberts homered twice to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 12-0 win over the Houston Astros on Monday night.  —  Moore (11-3) won his third straight decision …

Sources: Cubs, Dodgers near deal for Marmol  —  The Chicago Cubs are closing in on a trade that would send Carlos Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to two sources.  —  Marmol was designated for assignment on June 25, giving the Cubs a 10-day period to trade him or give him his unconditional release.

Rangers shift Soria to Frisco to get work  —  Rangers reliever Joakim Soria will be assigned to Double-A Frisco on Wednesday for his next appearance.  The move will keep Soria in Texas, as Triple-A Round Rock will be in Nashville that day.  —  Soria could join the Rangers next week during …

Final Score: Mets 5 Diamondbacks 4  —  The Least You Should Know:  —  It tooks the Mets 5 hours and 13 minutes to win this one with Andrew Brown hitting a 2-out, 2-strike bases loaded single to plate the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the 13th.  —  Marcum let up 3 runs early …

Aoki Can Become Free Agent After 2014  —  When the Brewers signed Norichika Aoki to a two-year deal with a club option for 2014 prior to the 2012 season, the belief around baseball was that Aoki would remain under team control as an arbitration-eligible player following completion of that contract.