Garza's value peaking at right time  —  CHICAGO  —  Matt Garza pitched impressively.  Then he spoke candidly.  —  Late Monday night, after what might have been his final start for the Chicago Cubs, Garza confirmed reports that his representatives have spoken with the team about a contract extension.

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.

Tainted players* dull All-Star Game  —  DETROIT — Just the thought turns your stomach, doesn't it?  —  Well, brace yourselves: We could have a tainted player win the All-Star Game MVP Award again.  —  It happened last year when San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera took home …

Mariners' bats back Felix Hernandez in victory over Red Sox  —  SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez held the Red Sox to two runs and six hits over seven innings and Raul Ibanez hit his 22nd home run in leading the Seattle Mariners to an 11-4 victory over Boston on Monday night.

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 …

Upton Helps Braves Beat Marlins 7-1 in 14 Innings  —  MIAMI — Justin Upton broke a tie by driving in two runs when he doubled in a six-run 14th inning for Atlanta's first hit since the sixth, and the Braves beat the Miami Marlins 7-1 Monday night.  —  Five Miami relievers combined …

Midseason Prospect Update: Xander Bogaerts Shows More Discipline  —  BEST PLAYER: Garin Cecchini had the second-highest on-base percentage in the minors at the time of his promotion to Double-A, but that performance wasn't good enough to surpass the landmark start by 20-year-old top prospect Xander Bogaerts.

If Derek Jeter does return to these Yankees, he'll be going from Triple-A to Triple-A roster in Bronx  —  Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano were the only hitters in the lineup who could have scared the Royals, though Vernon Wells seems to have found some life in his bat after his recent work with hitting coach Kevin Long.

Grandal set for ACL surgery, likely out 9-12 months  —  SAN DIEGO — Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal will need reconstructive surgery to his anterior cruciate ligament that will end his season, an MRI revealed on Monday.  —  It's unclear whether Grandal will be ready for the start of Spring Training …

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 …

Some Braves critical of All-Star selection process, ESPN's Puig-mania  —  PHILADELPHIA - They fully understand the buzz around Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and the desire of many to get the rookie sensation in the All-Star game, but some Braves took exception to ESPN.com openly campaigning …