Trading season has begun — notes from around MLB; Will Ike Davis return to NY Mets today?  ; Reds Homer Bailey matures  —  The first big move of MLB's trade season came Tuesday, and it impacted the Yankees.  Baltimore, whose monstrous lineup is not adequately supported by its thin rotation …

Astros set Minors debut for No. 1 Draft pick Appel  —  HOUSTON — In a quick turn of events, inquiring minds will not have to wait long to see No. 1 overall Draft pick Mark Appel pitch at the professional level.  —  Appel, who agreed to a contract with Houston two weeks ago, will make his first pro start Friday with Class-A Tri-City.

Dodgers Designate Carlos Marmol For Assignment  —  The Dodgers have designated Carlos Marmol for assignment, according to Peter Gammons of the MLB Network (on Twitter).  Gammons reports that the Dodgers were only interested in the international bonus slot they acquired in the deal, not in retaining Marmol as a member of their bullpen.

Numbers Show That MLB Interleague Play Isn't As Popular As We Were Led to Believe  —  It has been one of the key moments in Bud Selig's tenure, created barstool debates throughout the country, and until this year, hasn't had enough information to say definitively how popular it really is.

Kershaw, Puig Lead Dodgers to 8-0 Win Over Rockies  —  DENVER — Clayton Kershaw tossed a four-hitter for his second shutout of the season and rookie sensation Yasiel Puig had three more hits, including a solo homer, to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

Lackey throws eight strong as Red Sox beat Padres  —  BOSTON — Brandon Snyder hit a bases-loaded double and John Lackey struck out six over eight strong innings for the Boston Red Sox in a 4-1 win over the slumping San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.  —  Lackey (6-5) scattered six hits …

Tigers edge Blue Jays ending seven-game home win streak  —  TORONTO — Miguel Cabrera hit a three-run homer and Torii Hunter had four of Detroit's 12 hits as the Tigers edged the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 at Rogers Centre on Tuesday night.  —  Hunter's two-out infield single …

Angels' Josh Hamilton appears to be chewing tobacco again  —  Outfielder who has struggled with addiction quit the habit last July, leading to withdrawal symptoms.  —  Josh Hamilton finished a workout with the team's strength and conditioning coach Tuesday afternoon, went into the Angels' dugout …

Final Score: Mets 9 Diamondbacks 1  —  The Least You Should Know...  Jeremy Hefner started for the Mets and he was brilliant, allowing only one run in seven innings.  —  Hefner now has a 2.20 ERA over his last eight starts.  —  LaTroy Hawkins pitched a scoreless eighth inning …

Hot Prospect Video: Oscar Taveras  —  As perhaps the game's top hitting prospect, Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras has become a household name to baseball fans, and not only in St. Louis.  When the 21-year-old Taveras ranked no. 2 on Baseball Prospectus' recently released mid-season top 50 prospects list …

Indians Bullpen Holds On for 6-5 Win Over Royals  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera each drove in a pair of runs, and the Cleveland Indians took advantage of some wild pitching by the Kansas City Royals in a 6-5 victory Tuesday night.

David Price K's 10, earns win in return against Astros  —  HOUSTON — AL Cy Young Award winner David Price pitched three-hit ball for seven innings in his return from the disabled list and Desmond Jennings homered and drove in four runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Houston Astros for the second straight night, 8-0 on Tuesday.

Astros Sign Dominican Shortstop Joan Mauricio  —  Dominican shortstop Joan Mauricio has signed with the Astros for $600,000.  —  Mauricio, 16, has good defensive actions with smooth hands and surprising pop from both sides of the plate for someone who is 6-foot-1, 140 pounds.