Ballbug: Braves activate closer Arodys Vizcaino, on DL with shoulder inflammation (ESPN)

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.

Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:

Reds' bright future has SI writer predicting ‘mid-2019 bandwagon hop’ — The Cincinnati Reds' success since a nightmarish 3-18 start to the season has a Sports Illustrated writer considering positioning himself for “a mid-2019 bandwagon hop.” — “You've got to give this team a lot of credit …

Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Hunter Greene to represent Dayton Dragons, Reds at All-Star Futures Game

Discussion: Red Reporter

Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com: Michael Lorenzen needs more at-bats, Intentional Talk co-hosts Rose and Millar agree

Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Report: Nats' trade talk with Reds may involve Matt Harvey, Raisel Iglesias

Discussion: Bleacher Report, New York Post and Federal Baseball

Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:

Pace of Manny trade talks accelerates; an unlikely All-Star; deadline market is flooded; more notes — As Manny Machado's world turns: — *The Baltimore Orioles want to act sooner rather than later, knowing they almost certainly will receive a greater return if they trade Machado …

Discussion: NESN.com, The Good Phight, Phillies Nation and Camden Chat

Discussion: Baltimore Sun, Camden Chat and School of Roch

Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Some Orioles would look good in Phillies' red pinstripes | Extra Innings

Discussion: The Good Phight and Camden Chat

Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Manny Machado Trade Talks Have Reportedly Accelerated

Discussion: Phillies Nation and Al's Ramblings

Jorge Castillo / Chicago Tribune:

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.

Discussion: Washington Post

Greg Joyce / New York Post:
Bryce Harper's new position interest is long-shot Yankees path

Discussion: Washington Post and baseballmusings.com

Jacob Shafer / Bleacher Report:
Slumping Free Agent-to-Be Bryce Harper Picking the Wrong Year for a Letdown

Discussion: Federal Baseball

Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:

Love yourself: Shane Bieber trusts his stuff, makes believers out of Indians — OAKLAND - Now that he has claimed a regular spot in the Cleveland Indians' rotation, Shane Bieber knows he'll get to make his third home start next Monday. — He just doesn't know which walk-up song will greet him.

Associated Press:

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 …

Discussion: Royals Review, Let's Go Tribe and WKYC-TV

George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:

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.

Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue and Bless You Boys

Detroit Free Press:

Next Slide — What happened: The Detroit Tigers lost to the Chicago Cubs, 5-3, on Tuesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Cubs came-from-behind to win the game with five unanswered runs. Anthony Rizzo's RBI fielder's choice in the bottom of the seventh inning proved to be the difference.

Associated Press:

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.

Martin Fennelly / Tampa Bay Times:

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.

Discussion: Fish Stripes

ESPN:

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.

Jack Etkin / UPI:

Rockies' Senzatela returns as starter vs. Giants — DENVER — Antonio Senzatela will join the Colorado Rockies rotation Tuesday, returning to the majors after two months at Triple-A and making his first start in the big leagues since Aug. 28. — Senzatela will take the turn of Jon Gray …

Discussion: Beyond the Box Score

Larry Fleisher / UPI:

Yankees seek to end slump vs. fast-rising Braves — NEW YORK — Hours before the Atlanta Braves took the field at Yankee Stadium, as an air conditioning vent blew cold air inside a sweltering third base dugout, manager Brian Snitker admitted he did not think the youth would come together so quickly this season.

Discussion: Pinstripe Alley, Talking Chop and MLB Baseball News …

Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:

Joe Maddon calls Dexter Fowler's situation with Cardinals ‘unfortunate’ — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon described the situation between former Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler and the Cardinals as “unfortunate” in the wake of pointed words expressed Monday by Cardinals president John Mozeliak.

Discussion: Viva El Birdos, NBCSports.com and Scoops with Danny Mac

Steve Habel / UPI:

Astros aim to slow slide vs. rival Rangers — If the Houston Astros are heading into a two-game series against rival Texas with the idea that they'll be able to push around the rebuilding Rangers and get back on track after three straight losses, maybe it's time to think again.

Discussion: Lone Star Ball

Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:

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.

Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu out of starting lineup against Reds — Chicago Tribune — White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is not in the starting lineup Tuesday night for Game 2 of their series against the Reds. — Abreu left in the seventh inning of Monday's 5-3 loss, an inning after he fouled a pitch off his left ankle.

CBS Philly:

Phillies Survived June; Could It Mean Bigger Things Ahead? — PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Not many, other than perhaps the players and their manager Gabe Kapler, thought the Phillies would be a consideration for the postseason by July 4. Four more setbacks and they would have finished 2017 with 100 losses.

Discussion: Athletics Nation

Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:

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 …