Kris Bryant's return from DL delayed at least until Friday  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the team's confidence level after beating the Tigers on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kris Bryant won't be cleared to return to the Cubs …

Real or not?  Ohtani is back too late to save the Angels  —  Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Angels lineup at a much-needed time, with the Angels scuffling at a game over .500 and beginning a must-win series against a team they have to chase down for a playoff spot.

Gleyber Torres out of Yankees lineup with hip stiffness  —  Yankees manager Aaron Boone talks about Gleyber Torres's condition Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera  —  NEW YORK - Since his arrival at Yankee Stadium in late April, Gleyber Torres hasn't spent much time on the bench.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals … Every at-bat is a fact-finding mission, especially for a team that's facing a pitcher it hasn't seen before - and even more so when that pitcher is as good as Jack Flaherty, the St. Louis Cardinals' rookie right-hander.  —  Flaherty has a fastball that can touch 97.

Astros win on road again with 5-3 victory at rival Rangers  —  Houston is 11-4 this season against its instate division rival, with seven consecutive road wins in the series.  Houston is a majors-best 31-14 on the road this season.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Josh Reddick and Tony Kemp homered …

Yan Gomes' grand slam helps Cleveland Indians rally past Kansas City Royals, 6-4  —  The Indians lead the American League with eight grand slams and Gomes' blast was their second in two nights.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Yan Gomes hit a grand slam in the sixth inning and the Cleveland Indians rallied …

White Sox try to ride momentum versus Reds  —  The slumping Chicago White Sox are playing a team that didn't give up on its season despite a terrible start, so maybe they decided that was a pretty good strategy to adopt.  —  The White Sox could have easily given up on their Tuesday night game …

Max Muncy continues blistering pace with 2-HR night, upping total to 20  —  LOS ANGELES — Max Muncy was out for breakfast here recently when a fan approached him, said hello, asked for a photo and called him “Mad Max,” a nickname that is slowly starting to build momentum.

Senzatela throws 7 shutout innings, Rockies beat Giants 8-1  —  Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado, center, is congratulated by teammates Charlie Blackmon, left, and DJ LeMahieu after Arenado hit a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Stratton during the fifth inning …

Red Sox Wrap: Boston Smacks Three Homers In 11-4 Win Over Nationals  —  The Boston Red Sox were loaded with power Tuesday night.  —  Eduardo Nunez and Xander Bogaerts each smacked three-run homers while J.D. Martinez added a two-run blast as the Sox claimed an 11-4 victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

Column: Cubs schedule quirk sets up enjoyable month of day baseball at Wrigley Field  —  Photos from the Cubs-Tigers game at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Strange but true: The Cubs find themselves in the middle of a monthlong stretch with no night games scheduled at Wrigley Field.

MLB: Wade LeBlanc gets an extension  —  The Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday that they are extending the contract of left-hander Wade LeBlanc through 2019.  —  According to reports, LeBlanc, 33, will be paid $2.75 million next season.  —  LeBlanc is 4-0 with a 3.19 earned-run average after beating the Angels 4-1 on Tuesday.

Eflin wins again, Knapp has key hit as Phillies beat O's  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zach Eflin and the Phillies are on a roll.  —  Eflin pitched seven strong innings for his sixth straight victory, Andrew Knapp had the winning hit for the second straight game and Philadelphia beat …

Phillies could trade for Manny Machado if price is right  —  A storm moved over Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday afternoon just as the visiting Orioles were set to begin batting practice, robbing Manny Machado of the chance to take some early swings at a ballpark that may soon be his.

Cincinnati Reds manager Jim Riggleman ejected after umpire told him to ‘do your job’  —  Trailing by four runs in the top of the 12th inning Tuesday, Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman attempted to signal an intentional walk from the dugout.  —  Holding up four fingers …

Under penalty, Cincinnati Reds unable to make big splash for international signing period  —  Major League Baseball's international signing period began Monday, but the Reds won't have an opportunity to make a big splash in the second year of a two-year penalty phase.

Braves activate closer Arodys Vizcaino, on DL with shoulder inflammation  —  The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves activated closer Arodys Vizcaino from the disabled list on Tuesday.  —  The right-handed reliever was placed on the DL on June 24 with inflammation in his right shoulder.