Next Slide  —  With Steven Souza Jr. nearing a return from the disabled list, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was peppered with questions early Wednesday afternoon about how he planned to handle his outfield surplus, what with Souza giving Lovullo at least five outfielders for only three spots.

6 thoughts heading into Yankees' series vs. Blue Jays in Toronto  —  On a rare off-day, a few points before the Yankees begin a three-game series against the Blue Jays Friday night in Toronto:  —  FRIENDLY SKED  —  From now until Sept. 1 (based on win-loss marks heading into Thursday's games) …

Gattis' sac fly in 10th lifts Astros over Rangers 5-4  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve was more than due when he came to bat in the 10th inning, and got a winning rally started for the Houston Astros.  —  “He hadn't gotten a hit in four at-bats,” manager A.J. Hinch said of the second basemen …

When teams like Twins lack a good catcher, it's a sure sign of trouble  —  MINNEAPOLIS  —  The Chicago White Sox went to the World Series in 1959 for the first time in 40 years and lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.  Owner Bill Veeck decided there was a need for more punch in the Sox lineup and made two major trades:

Mike Trout and Mookie Betts have opposite approaches — and both are perfect  —  Something has been gnawing at me about Mike Trout and Mookie Betts.  —  Both are practically perfect hitters, and in practically identical ways.  It's not just that they both hit the ball hard and far …

Who's in charge of rebuilding the Orioles at the trade deadline?  —  THE ALL-STAR GAME hasn't even arrived, and the Baltimore Orioles are already 33½ games out of first place in the American League East.  But that mind-bending reality can't convey the magnitude of the challenge at Camden Yards …

Manny Machado worth acquiring right now for Phillies |  Bob Brookover  —  Sitting in front of his locker, Manny Machado autographed a bright orange Baltimore Orioles jersey early Wednesday afternoon in the visiting clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park.  You had to wonder how many more times that is going to happen.

Hill pitches Dodgers past Pirates 6-4 for 3-game sweep  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) After launching 10 home runs in their first two games against the Pirates, the Dodgers kept it in the park and still won their fourth in a row.  —  Rich Hill earned his first victory in three months …

Todd Frazier struggling since returning from DL, but provides clutch hit Wednesday  —  NY Mets third baseman Todd Frazier discusses Toronto starter Marcus Strowman Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  TORONTO — Todd Frazier will tell you he's not a numbers guy, but the veteran third …

Atlanta Braves vs. Milwaukee Brewers Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick  —  Two unlikely division leaders in the National League will square off Thursday in Milwaukee when the Brewers (51-35) host the Atlanta Braves (49-36) as solid home favorites at the sportsbooks.

Column: Cubs need insurance for the rotation and bullpen, no matter how small the upgrade  —  Joe Maddon on Wednesday's 5-2 victory: “Nice job by everybody.  Kind of a team win.”  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  A season-high six-game winning streak coupled …

Detroit Tigers prospects: Jacob Robson deserves to stay in Triple-A  —  Welcome to a post-holiday edition of the Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag.  —  Free Press sports writer George Sipple answers your questions.  Send yours to @GeorgeSipple on Twitter or by email: gsipple@freepress.com.

Scott Boras says shifts are partly why Bryce Harper isn't enjoying a typical Harper season  —  The Washington Post  —  When Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez was Tampa Bay's bench coach in 2008 or 2009 — he doesn't remember which year this happened — Evan Longoria …

Resurgent Kole Calhoun, Angels face Mariners in rubber match  —  To say Kole Calhoun was struggling would be an understatement.  —  When the Los Angeles Angels' right fielder was placed on the disabled list June 2 with a strained right oblique, he was in a 12-for-122 slump (.098), dropping his season average to .145.

Mariners' Nelson Cruz brings new meaning to the term ‘power nap’  —  Nelson Cruz wakes up ready to hit.  Literally.  —  During a recent series in Baltimore, the Mariners DH spent the better part of last Thursday's finale napping on one of the big black leather couches in the visitors' clubhouse at Camden Yards.

Get a grip?  White Sox pitchers struggle in hot, humid conditions  —  White Sox starter Dylan Covey talks about humid conditions affecting his grip against the Reds on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.  (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  In the third inning of Dylan Covey's start …

Anderson stellar, Iannetta homers as Rockies beat Giants 1-0  —  Chris Iannetta homered in the seventh,  —  Tyler Anderson pitched eight stellar innings in outdueling  —  San Francisco Giants 1-0 on Wednesday night to sweep a three-game series.  —  It was the first 1-0 game at Coors Field since June 12, 2010.

White Sox sign first-round pick Nick Madrigal  —  Oregon State's Nick Madrigal dives for a ball against Arkansas in Game 2 of the College World Series on June 27, 2018.  (Ted Kirk / AP) Chicago Tribune  —  Nick Madrigal, the Oregon State infielder selected by the White Sox with the No. 4 pick …