In desperate need of power, Yankees close to deal for Soriano  —  ARLINGTON — In dire need of a bat with thump and an indication the Yankees may believe that Alex Rodriguez isn't going to play this season, the toothless Bombers are close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs, The Post has learned.

MLB suspends Ryan Braun for remainder of season  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Major League Baseball has suspended Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun without pay for the remainder of the 2013 season and he has accepted the penalty, meaning he was caught red-handed either buying and/or using performance-enhancing drugs.

Red Sox, Pedroia Agree On Extension  —  The Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia have agreed in principle on an extension worth approximately $100MM over seven years, tweets Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.  Bradford adds that the new contract is set to start in the 2015 season and run through 2021 …

Rangers acquire coveted right-hander Garza  —  Three prospects plus one or two players to be named dealt to Cubs  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers had been trying to trade for right-hander Matt Gaza for 2 1/2 years.  On Monday, after two weeks of trade talks and another near-miss, Texas finally achieved its goal.

Nationals dismiss Eckstein, name Schu hitting coach  —  Former roving hitting instructor for Washington takes over to lead slumping offense  —  WASHINGTON — On Sunday morning, according to Rick Eckstein, Nationals manager Davey Johnson assured him that he was doing a good job as the team's hitting coach.

Marquis out for season due to elbow injury  —  MILWAUKEE — Padres pitcher Jason Marquis will miss the remainder of the season after it was determined on Monday that he has significant damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.  —  Manager Bud Black said Marquis met earlier Monday …

Final: Braves 2 Mets 1  —  The Least You Should Know...  Bobby Parnell allowed two runs in a heartbreaking ninth inning, recording his fourth blown save and fifth loss of the season.  With runners two on in the bottom of the ninth, Justin Turner lined out to a diving Jason Heyward to end the game.

Marlins To Promote Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick  —  The Marlins have announced that they will select the contracts of top outfield prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick tomorrow and demote Derek Dietrich and Marcell Ozuna to Double-A Jacksonville.

Indians Agree To $950,000 Deal With Leandro Linares  —  Cuban righthander Leandro Linares has agreed to sign with the Indians for a $950,000 bonus.  —  Linares, 19, has been one of the top pitching prospects on the international market who is subject to the international bonus pools.

Monk, Green weigh in on team-name controversy  —  WASHINGTON - Redskins training camp opens on Thursday, and as the team prepares for the 2013 season, controversy grinds on over the team's name: Should it be changed?  —  Two Redskins Hall of Famers have weighed in.

It's Time To Move The Trade Deadline  —  The trade deadline is in eight days.  Thus far, we've seen the Cubs trade away Scott Feldman, the Cubs trade away Scott Hairston, the Cubs trade away Matt Garza, and most recently, the Cubs getting close to trading away Alfonso Soriano.