Manny Machado Trade Talks Have Reportedly Accelerated  —  Though there's still four weeks until the 2018 non-waiver trade deadline, trade talks surrounding Manny Machado have “accelerated” in recent days, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription link).

His All-Star spot no longer in doubt, Bryce Harper will swing away in Home Run Derby  —  The Washington Post  —  Bryce Harper recently told The Washington Post he would participate in the Home Run Derby at Nationals Park later this month, but only if he made the National League All-Star team.

Yadier Molina, Torey Lovullo talk, appear to make up  —  Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo met with St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina during batting practice Monday night to patch things up after the two men nearly came to blows the last time the teams met in April.

Trade talk of Reds pitcher Matt Harvey to Yankees brings more trolling of Cincinnati  —  Matt Harvey pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in an 8-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.  He talked about the rain delay that ended his outing early and how he's gained confidence in his recent outings.

Francisco Lindor has 2 HRs, 7 RBIs as Cleveland Indians beat Kansas City Royals 9-3  —  Corey Kluber worked six solid innings to improve his record to 12-4.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Francisco Lindor homered twice, including a grand slam, and finished with a career-high seven RBIs …

LEADING OFF: Kershaw tries again for win, Realmuto on a roll  —  Here's a look at what's happening around the majors today:  —  RECOVERING ACE  —  Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw goes for his first win in 2 1/2 months when he faces Pittsburgh in the middle game of the teams' three-game series in Los Angeles.

Detroit Tigers takeaways: How adding Jim Adduci impacts James McCann  —  TORONTO — It was looking really bleak, at least on paper.  —  After snapping an 11-game losing streak, the Detroit Tigers won the final two games of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rockies rally to beat Bum  —  DENVER — Kyle Freeland turned in another sizzling start at Coors Field and the Colorado Rockies scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on a throwing error by shortstop Brandon Crawford to rally for a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night.

Hunter Greene to represent Dayton Dragons, Reds at All-Star Futures Game  —  Reds No. 2 pick Hunter Greene is in Goodyear, Arizona, for his first experience at spring training The Enquirer/Adam Baum  —  Cincinnati Reds top prospect Hunter Greene, the 18-year-old 2017 first-round pick of the team …

White Sox relievers might need some relief  —  Chicago Tribune  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria places a high premium on starters who can “eat innings,” and it's not difficult to see why.  —  His bullpen might be stretched to its limits.  —  Monday's 5-3 loss to the Reds …

Miller's bases-loaded walk leads Brewers past Twins, 6-5  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) With the bases loaded and the game tied in the 10th inning, Brad Miller plotted his approach as he came to the plate.  —  “You just look like you're going to swing and don't swing,” Miller said.

It's already July, where do the Orioles stand on the trade market for their departing stars?  —  The Orioles went through June only sort of shifting their focus to the future, as executive vice president Dan Duquette said would be the new organizational directive, without much taking them off …

Rays, Marlins and an idea for a Citrus Series trophy  —  Ah, the Citrus Series.  Is there anything like Rays-Marlins in July?  Well, yes, there is.  They don't even hand out a trophy anymore to the season series winner, though they did when they began playing each other in 1998.  —  It's easy to see why.

Iowa Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan trying to prove he belongs back in big leagues  —  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.

How the Dodgers powered their way back into contention  —  LOS ANGELES — After the midway point came and went this weekend, these were the three names atop the Los Angeles Dodgers' leaderboard for Wins Above Replacement: Max Muncy, an afterthought who spent all of last season in Triple-A …

Dodgers' Kershaw faces Pirates hoping to get stronger  —  LOS ANGELES — Two things Clayton Kershaw clearly hates: Being on the disabled list and having pitch restrictions while on the mound.  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers' left-hander might be done with both when he takes the mound Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.