Top News:
Paul Hagen / MLB.com:
Duty calls: Captains announce Derby teams — Former winners Fielder, Cano power AL; Wright tabs Harper for NL squad — Three sluggers who have made the finals of the annual All-Star Home Run Derbywill be back on stage next Monday at Citi Field to try to capture another trophy.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Purple Row and Pinstriped Bible
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Kershaw: Harvey should start ASG — SAN FRANCISCO — Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who leads the majors with a 1.89 ERA, endorses the idea of Mets righty Matt Harvey starting the All-Star Game at Citi Field. — “He should,” Kershaw told FOXSports.com.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Metsblog
Baseball America:
Midseason Prospect Update: Top 50 Prospects — Midseason Top 50 Prospects — Our Midseason Top 50 Prospects list of the top prospects currently playing in the minors. Players from the 2013 draft or international signing period, those who had exhausted rookie eligibility …
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
In what could be a dramatic turnaround, the Cubs are now considering keeping righthanded starter Matt Garza on the North Side of Chicago. — Cubs officials recently have broached such a possibility, and while a trade still remains an option for Garza, for the first time in more than a year …
Discussion:
ESPN, Bleed Cubbie Blue, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Despite recent talks, Garza still likely to be traded — The Cubs' Scott Hairston talks about his pinch-hit home run against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. He was traded to the Nationals on Sunday night. — Will the Chicago Cubs re-sign Matt Garza instead of dealing him for prospects?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Designate Jeremy Bonderman For Assignment — The Mariners designated starter Jeremy Bonderman for assignment, according to a team press release. They also recalled lefty Lucas Luetge. — Bonderman, 30, had his contract purchased by the Mariners in June, at which point he made his first MLB start since October 2010.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and U.S.S. Mariner
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Bruce won't pout over not making NL All-Star roster — CINCINNATI — Reds right fielder Jay Bruce did not become a three-time National League All-Star when the team was named on Saturday. Instead, Bruce became a mention in his first “all-snub” team of deserving players that were left off the roster.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Red Reporter
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Some Braves critical of All-Star selection process, ESPN's Puig-mania
Some Braves critical of All-Star selection process, ESPN's Puig-mania
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's to call up former first-round Draft pick Green — Top prospect was batting .318 with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs at Triple-A — KANSAS CITY — Four years after being drafted by the A's as their first overall pick, infielder Grant Green is finally headed to the Majors.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Prospectus
RELATED:
Susan Slusser / Oakland Athletics:
Grant Green to join A's in Pittsburgh tomorrow, sources say
Grant Green to join A's in Pittsburgh tomorrow, sources say
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, MLB Rumors and Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Colon, A's Shut Down Pirates 2-1 — PITTSBURGH — Bartolo Colon allowed one run over seven innings and the Oakland Athletics won for the ninth time in their past 12 games, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Monday night. — The 40-year-old Colon (12-3) shook off a tough-luck 3-1 defeat …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Athletics Nation and ESPN
Associated Press:
Escobar and Zobrist homer to lead Rays over Twins — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Yunel Escobar and Ben Zobrist homered during a three-run seventh inning and the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 on Monday night. — Escobar had a leadoff tiebreaking homer in the seventh off Samuel Deduno …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and CBSSports.com
Fox Sports:
Five teams on buy-sell bubble — Buy? Sell? A little of both? None of the above? — These five bubble teams, in particular, are waiting to determine their directions as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches. — Phillies (43-46, 7½ games out, NL East)
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Rays Sign Dominican Third Baseman Juan Carlos Arias — Before the 2012-13 international signing period ended on June 15, the Rays signed Dominican third baseman Juan Carlos Arias for $200,000. — If Major League Baseball approves Arias' contract, his bonus will count against Tampa Bay's 2012-13 international bonus pool.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets' Niese cleared to work toward return — SAN FRANCISCO — New York Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese has been cleared to begin working toward a return from the disabled list. Niese had a favorable follow-up exam with team doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Monday, a source told ESPNNewYork.com.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Phils' Ryan Howard out 6-8 weeks — PHILADELPHIA — Phillies slugger Ryan Howard needs surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss at least six to eight weeks. — Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, went on the disabled list Saturday. An MRI Monday confirmed the tear in his knee.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Red Sox lose to Angels 3-0; drop 2 of 3 in Anaheim — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — John Lackey's 2.80 ERA is his best through first 15 starts since 2007 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. — He just couldn't beat his old team and former protege Jered Weaver.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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