MLB trade targets: Top 20 players who could move by the deadline  —  Two shopping months remain before the non-waiver trading deadline, but with one-third of the teams already out of playoff contention, Major League Baseball is about to unleash its own Black Friday sale.

Column: Good guy Anthony Rizzo made a winning play — but he clearly crossed the line  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon says Anthony Rizzo's slide into Pirates catcher Elias Diaz to break up a double play as “a perfect play” on Monday, May 28, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Is it time for the Cincinnati Reds to take a look at the outfield?  —  PHOENIX - Reds interim manager Jim Riggelman's comment seemed to take direct aim at the outfield.  —  “Our club is 19-36, so we're open to... We have to be thinking about a lot of things,” Riggleman said.

What's going wrong for Cubs pitching prospect Jen-Ho Tseng this season?  —  Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982.  Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time.

Lucas Giolito takes the mound to make ‘big start’ against Indians  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the team's defensive mistakes against the Indians on Monday, May 28, 2018.  (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Lucas Giolito takes a 7.53 earned-run average …

No matter what the Orioles' Alex Cobb does, the outcome seems to be the same  —  Orioles starter Alex Cobb threw one damaging pitch during the seven innings he pitched in Monday's interleague matchup against the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards, but he lost anyway.

Devin Mesoraco credits adjustment Mets hitting coach Roessler suggested for newfound power  —  NY Mets catcher Devin Mesoraco discusses the trade that sent him to the Mets Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  Devin Mesoraco has hit five home runs in his first 46 at-bats with the New York Mets since …

Mookie Betts out of Boston lineup with pain in side for 3rd straight game  —  Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts will miss his third straight game Tuesday with tightness in his left side.  —  Betts is leading the league with a .359 average, with 17 home runs and 37 RBIs.

Mets bounce back, beat Braves 8-5 to split rain-delayed DH  —  ATLANTA (AP) Mets manager Mickey Callaway had a reason to smile at 1:40 a.m. after his team showed enough fortitude to avoid getting swept.  —  “They came out with some energy, which was huge in this game, and you've got to give them credit,” he said.

101. 102. 103. 104. 105.  Cardinals rookie Jordan Hicks is lighting up radar guns  —  Jordan Hicks can't explain where the gas comes from.  If he's being honest, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie flamethrower doesn't really want to.  Best not to overthink it.

How big-league reliever J.P. Howell wound up with independent San Rafael Pacifics  —  Here's a story of a big-leaguer returning to his roots.  Not just the region where he played ball.  But the reason why he played ball.  —  All kids who begin hitting, fielding and throwing do it for all the pure and principled reasons.

Caleb Smith mystifies Padres, gets run support as Marlins snap skid  —  Caleb Smith was brilliant in dominating a matchup of rookie left-handers, Yadiel Rivera's two-run single capped Miami's four-run first inning, and Cameron Maybin had three hits and two RBIs against his old team to lead …

Cards notebook: Maddux ready for Reyes ‘fun’; Fowler decision looms  —  MILWAUKEE  • For much of spring training, Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux purposefully averted his eyes from Alex Reyes' work because the calendar worked against them and it would be a long time before the righthander was available to him.

Next Slide  —  In 2011, Justin Verlander turned in maybe the best pitching season from the recent memory, earning the American League Cy Young and MVP awards for the Detroit Tigers.  —  This season, his first full one with the Houston Astros after last year's trade and World Series win, he looks even better.

First round MLB draft picks from Arizona … WHAT CHANGED?:  MLB mock draft - first edition  —  1. Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn  —  Explanation: Although it's not a foregone conclusion that he goes No. 1 overall, Mize still looks like the favorite.  There isn't another starting pitcher …

Andrew Miller visits specialist to have left knee examined  —  CLEVELAND — Indians pitcher Andrew Miller visited a specialist in New York on Tuesday to have his injured left knee examined.  —  Miller, a dominant presence in Cleveland's bullpen since being acquired in 2016 …

Noah Syndergaard heads to the disabled list with a strained finger ligament  —  The Mets have not been playing well lately and now their fortunes are taking an even worse turn: Noah Syndergaard has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his finger.