Sources: Garza close to being Ranger  —  The Texas Rangers are close to acquiring right-hander Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussions.  —  The Cubs will receive a strong package of prospects for Garza, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the officials said.

Let's Make a Deal: Mets Trade Market Update  —  The Mets want a hitter, who is under contract through at least the next season or two; and their biggest strength - young pitching - is in high demand.  —  I had been hearing the Mets would only consider moving Bobby Parnell in a deal for an experienced …

Yankees president: A-Rod returning Monday  —  Alex Rodriguez will be activated and return to the New York Yankees' lineup Monday night against the Texas Rangers, team president Randy Levine told USA TODAY Sports, provided Rodriguez stays healthy through Sunday.

Brandon Phillips Is the Most Entertaining Player in Baseball  —  And he's got a nice smile, too.  —  Because someone has to be.  —  “Baseball is boring.”  —  Brandon Phillips is serious.  He professes this with a smirk, arching his eyebrows ever so slightly as he speaks, but the man means what he says.

Jays open second half with three-game set against Rays  —  The Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays try to start their second half off on the right foot tonight when they begin a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre.

Yankees return Jeter (quad) to disabled list  —  The New York Yankees on Friday placed captain Derek Jeter back on the disabled list due to a strained right quad.  —  Jeter will be eligible to return from his latest DL stint on July 27.  The Yankees will call up Brent Lillibridge to take his roster spot.

Peter Bourjos suffers a setback  —  Broken bone in Bourjos' wrist hasn't fully healed, meaning the center fielder won't be back before August.  —  X-rays taken this week showed that the broken bone in Peter Bourjos' right wrist hasn't fully healed, a setback that will delay the return of the center fielder by one or two more weeks.

Why baseball is a metaphor for life in America  —  US baseball players have been taking some rare time off this week.  In a gruelling sport with at least 162 games between April and September, the so-called All Star break gives weary bodies a chance to rest.

D-backs sign reliever Camp, release Hinske  —  The D-backs made a move to increase their bullpen depth on Thursday, signing right-hander Shawn Camp and assigning him to Triple-A Reno.  Camp was released by the Cubs on July 7 after being designated for assignment.

Braves searching for a left-handed reliever  —  Over the past couple months, it has been apparent the Braves will attempt to gain bullpen depth before the July 31 Trade Deadline.  But with all indications that Alex Wood will join Atlanta's starting rotation before the end of the month …