Longtime Cubs clubhouse attendant Yosh Kawano, ‘the king of Wrigley Field,’ dies at 97  —  Former Cubs clubhouse manager Yosh Kawano poses for a portrait at the Kei-Ai Los Angeles Healthcare Center Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 in Los Angeles.  Kawano died Monday, June 25, 2018.  He was 97.

Gabe Kapler isn't God, and the Phillies bullpen has few good options |  Mike Sielski  —  In the beginning, there was a closer, and the closer was Hector Neris, and Gabe saw it was good and said it was good.  —  It's important to remember this, now that the Phillies' bullpen and Gabe Kapler's use …

Giants' Madison Bumgarner: Rule changes ‘out of hand’  —  When it comes to chatter about a “universal” designated hitter, San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is waving the white flag.  —  “I understand they don't care what I say,” Bumgarner told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Astros hoping to turn luck around vs. Blue Jays  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros enjoyed their share of luck and made some of their own during their 12-game winning streak, but on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays, they tasted regression.  —  Well, at least right fielder George Springer did.

As fingers point for NY Mets' blame, ownership remains the constant  —  NEW YORK  —  It was easy to point a finger and find someone to blame for the Mets' current losing streak.  Take Sunday afternoon as an example.  This one came in a sort of new low fashion that made it feel like rock-bottom had arrived.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins … MIAMI - No matter the outcome, it was hard to wipe the smile from the face of Diamondbacks starter Shelby Miller after making his first start in 14 months following Tommy John surgery.  —  That said, Miller certainly wasn't popping the bubbly …

Handicapping the 2nd Half: The Hooks look for the sweep in the Texas League  —  The Hooks head into the Texas League All-Star break with a first half championship but also about as solid a start to the season as could be expected by a team with a new manager and plenty of players new to Double-A.

Even without Robinson Cano, the Mariners look like baseball's most fascinating team  —  The Washington Post  —  There may be better teams in baseball than the Seattle Mariners, including one notable, highly decorated example looming atop their own division.

Rays pull out odd 1-0 win over Nationals  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays pulled off a fifth straight win on Tuesday, beating the Nationals 1-0 as Nathan Eovaldi out-dueled Max Scherzer.  —  And they did it with a twist, moving lefty pitcher Jose Alvarado to first base for one batter in the ninth …

Dan McNeil dishes on '05 Sox, '18 Cubs and what talk-radio hosts root for  —  A look back at the run in the playoffs by the White Sox: From winning the AL Central to the World Series in 2005.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Excerpts from the latest “Deep Dish Baseball” podcast …

Being a sore loser made Jon Lester into the ultimate winner  —  IT OFTEN STARTS with just a stare from the mound.  —  Then, between innings, some heated words exchanged with his catcher — or whomever called the wrong pitch from the dugout.  —  After a poor performance, his agent might receive some “very dark texts.”

Unlikely players who could become first-time MLB All-Stars  —  You won't find them endorsing any sports drinks or on any All-Star ballots.  —  They had no idea whether they'd even make their team's opening-day roster this spring.  —  Well, in three weeks, they might find themselves playing …

The naked truth of the matter is, a maturing Puig has grown on Dodgers  —  Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig hits a long fly ball to center field in the seventh inning against the Cubs on June 25.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)  —  By the time Yasiel Puig walked into the locker room …

White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez takes the mound for first time since ‘clown’ comment  —  White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada and starter Reynaldo Lopez discuss the team's 12-0 loss to the Indians on Wednesday, June 20, 2018.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Sergio Romo barks at Michael Taylor after final out in Nats-Rays game, benches clear  —  Tampa Bay Rays, losing 11-0.  Momentum, they say, is your next day's starting pitcher, and at noon today that pitcher was  —  Max Scherzer, so things looked pretty good for Washington all things considered.

Brandon Morrow could rejoin Cubs bullpen by the end of the week  —  Cubs' Joe Maddon on Kris Bryant's injury and Duane Underwood Jr.'s first MLB start.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The back end of the Cubs bullpen could return to full strength within the next two weeks.

Yu Darvish all set for rehab start with South Bend Cubs  —  Photos of Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Imagine how nervous 19-year-old Class A catcher Miguel Amaya felt Monday night at Four Winds Field.  —  Amaya was unavailable for a pregame interview …