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 …

Scooter Gennett, Eugenio Suárez are Cincinnati Reds who deserve to make NL All-Star team  —  Two for sure.  —  Possibly three, but it's a bit of a long shot.  —  We're talking Cincinnati Reds on the National League All-Star team.  No one is likely to be voted in.

Column: White Sox need to listen to offers for Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia  —  Photos of White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  A year ago at this time, the White Sox were going through Phase 2 of the rebuild, trying to collect more top prospects in exchange …

Granderson has kept up his end of the bargain, now the Blue Jays can do him a favour  —  After a brilliant big-league career, there is still one milestone that Curtis Granderson would love to experience.  And that would be to win a World Series.  —  “I've been there three times, haven't won it …

Bye-bye, Buffalo: Why the Rays will trade Wilson Ramos  —  NEW YORK — Wilson Ramos is the best catcher the Rays have ever had.  —  And they are not likely to have him for much longer.  —  Sure, it's a matter of dollars.  —  But also one of sense.  —  The season and a half Ramos …

Minnesota Twins sign first-round pick Trevor Larnach  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have signed first-round draft pick Trevor Larnach to a minor league contract that includes a $2.55 million signing bonus.  —  Larnach, an outfielder who helped lead Oregon State to the College World …

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 …

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 …

What a Phillies trade for Cole Hamels might mean for their rotation |  Extra Innings  —  Aaron Nola started Wednesday, so of course the Phillies won.  They've won four in a row and six of their last seven.  They entered Thursday's off day just 1.5 games behind the Braves and 5.5 games ahead of the Nationals.

Diamondbacks look to keep Padres in slump  —  PHOENIX — Right-hander Yoshihisa Hirano has been spectacularly efficient in his first season in Arizona, part of the reason the Diamondbacks will enter their four-game series against the San Diego Padres with the best bullpen ERA in the majors.

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 …

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 …

NY Mets spent over $200 million in free agency last two years with little return  —  Mets writer Matt Ehalt and columnist Steve Popper discuss Mets free agency NorthJersey  —  Free agency can help a contending team take that next step, or, in the case of the Mets, crush a team that started the season hoping to contend.

Despite easy second-half schedule, Yankees still have no room for error  —  The Yankees have played .712 baseball since their 9-9 start (47-19), and play 43 of their next 51 games against .500 or worse teams (as of the W-L standings heading into Thursday's matchups).

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.

Ups and downs of minor league bullpens  —  The end comes again and again for minor league pitchers in their fourth, fifth or sixth seasons in pro ball.  They are throwing “the rock” downhill off the mound, but really isn't it like rolling a large rock uphill trying to get to the big leagues?

Brewers Designate Eric Sogard For Assignment  —  The Brewers announced Thursday that they've reinstated Tyler Saladino from the 10-day disabled list and created a spot on the active roster by designating struggling second baseman Eric Sogard for assignment.  The move leaves Milwaukee's 40-man roster at a total of 39 players.