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 …

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.

Giancarlo Stanton dusts himself off after crashing into wall, then plays hero for Yankees  —  Giancarlo Stanton crashed into the outfield wall in the seventh inning, left shoulder first, unable to grab a ball off the bat of Nick Markakis, which hit off the top of the fence and went …

Red Sox win 11-4 to drop Nationals to .500  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer during a six-run fifth inning, J.D. Martinez and Eduardo Nunez also went deep, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday.  —  Martinez drove in four and leads the majors with 26 homers and 71 RBIs.

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 …

What's wrong with the Nationals?  —  The Washington Nationals are not who we thought they were.  —  Coming into the season, they were widely projected to go all Fred Astaire and waltz their way to a third straight division title.  After all, the club that won 97 games last year was returning almost entirely intact.

Angels' Shohei Ohtani activated from DL, will DH in Tuesday's game  —  The Angels have activated Shohei Ohtani from the disabled list.  He will DH in Tuesday night's game at Seattle, batting sixth.  —  The two-way star has been out since June 6 with a Grade 2 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament …

White Sox OF Avisail Garcia told to take care to protect his ailing hamstring  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria says Avisail Garcia is playing through a “tight hammy” but wants him to limit his explosiveness on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.  (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

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 …

Astros C McCann on DL for surgery on troublesome right knee  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Astros catcher Brian McCann will have surgery on the troublesome right knee that has sent him to the disabled list for the second time this season.  —  McCann was put on the disabled list …

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.

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.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals … For years, defense had always come naturally to Jake Lamb.  Coming up through the minors and into his first seasons in the majors, the Diamondbacks' third baseman was generally regarded as a solid - and potentially above-average - defender.

Astros hang on to beat Rangers in series opener  —  ARLINGTON — It arrived one inning early for the Astros' closer of the moment, a mess to clean and a close game to clinch.  The wind whipped and dirt kicked up around Globe Life Park, scurrying a strong crowd for cover at first sight of a ballpark dust storm.

Mets waste yet another solid Zack Wheeler start, but at least his trade stock is rising  —  TORONTO — In the nine years he has played professional baseball, Zack Wheeler has been through pretty much everything.  The righthander has been traded, had a taste of success and sat out two years after Tommy John surgery.

Lorenzo Cain not yet able as Brewers, Twins close out series  —  MILWAUKEE — Lorenzo Cain is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday but won't quite be ready to go when the Milwaukee Brewers wrap up their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins with a matinee at Miller Park.

Francisco Lindor continues to deliver in the clutch for Cleveland Indians  —  Shortstop Francisco Lindor continues to deliver in the clutch for the Cleveland Indians.  —  CLEVELAND — Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor has been a catalyst for success throughout his three years with the Cleveland Indians …