Top News:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Rangers, Garza talking deal — The Texas Rangers tried to acquire right-hander Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs a year ago, but an injury to Garza prevented the deal from happening. — Well, the Rangers are trying again. — The Rangers and Cubs have had extensive talks on Garza …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Daily Dish and SI Wire
RELATED:
Tom Pelissero / USA Today:
Derek Lowe ‘officially’ threw his last MLB pitch — STATELINE, Nev. - Derek Lowe doesn't see the point in using the word “retirement” to signify the end of his 17-year major league career. — But Lowe left no room for interpretation after his practice round on Wednesday at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady, FanGraphs Baseball, CBSSports.com, Over the Monster, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Boston Globe and MLB Daily Dish
Enrique Rojas / MLB:
Agent: Cuban star pitcher to sign next week — Cuban sensation Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could be pitching in the majors soon, his agent told ESPNDeportes.com. — Jaime Torres believes his client can help a major league team this year and expects to have the right-hander signed by next week.
Discussion:
SI Wire, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Bluebird Banter and MLB.com
Stephen Haynes / Newsday:
Alex Rodriguez hits second rehab HR, this time for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — MOOSIC, Pa. - It was a vintage A-Rod moment. — Alex Rodriguez strode to the plate in the third inning, his at-bat soundtracked by a mixture of loud applause and loud-enough derisive comments from the PNC Field crowd.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / Associated Press:
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.
Discussion:
New York Post, CBSSports.com, USA Today and River Avenue Blues
Mark Bowman / Trade Deadline 2013:
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 …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Pirates are looking at ChiSox's Rios, and might like Ramirez, too — The surprising Pirates are said to be among the teams seeking to acquire White Sox outfielder Alex Rios, and people familiar with Pittsburgh's thinking suggest they wouldn't be surprised if the Pirates expand the talks to include Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez, as well.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Rumors and Bucs Dugout
Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 50 MLB prospects update — Byron Buxton moves to top spot; No. 1 draft pick Mark Appel in top 10 — At the MLB season's midpoint, just past the signing deadline for drafted players, here is a fresh look at the top 50 prospects still in the minor leagues, including a new name on top.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Federal Baseball, Pinstriped Bible, True Blue LA, Red Reporter and Over the Monster
Chris Creamer / Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net News …:
Do Uniforms Determine Success? MLB Team Jersey, Cap Stats — Have you ever thought to yourself, “it seems like those guys always lose when they wear that jersey”? Well, it turns out there may be some underlying truth to your sartorial assumption. — Over the past three-and-a-half months …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Orioles Insider
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Clay Buchholz has another setback — BOSTON — Any optimism that Clay Buchholz would be returning to the mound soon faded Thursday as Red Sox manager John Farrell announced that due to lingering soreness that resurfaced on the team's West Coast trip, his scheduled bullpen session was scratched.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
O's agree to terms with Cuban prospect Alvarez — Cuban outfield prospect Dariel Alvarez has agreed in principle to a deal with the Orioles worth $800,000, he told MLB.com on Thursday. — Alvarez, who is waiting on the results of his physical, could officially sign on Saturday.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
MLB.com:
D-backs introduce new Luchador — Team to give away 20,000 D-backs Luchador masks on July 27 — PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) have introduced the D-backs Luchador as an official mascot of the team. The popularity of last year's Lucha Libre mask, which was later followed …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Reds:
Reds call up Neftali Soto — In a piece of roster gymnastics, the Reds have called up Neftali Soto as an extra bat off the bench for the next few days, optioning left-hander Tony Cingrani to the Arizona Reds of the Rookie Arizona League. — Cingrani was at Thursday's workout and will still pitch …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation and Red Reporter
