Top News:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Joe Maddon plans to lighten catcher Willson Contreras' workload with return of Victor Caratini — Photos from the Cubs' 8-7 win against the Reds on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune — Willson Contreras is catching more often than any major-leaguer …
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Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Has Matt Harvey made himself into a quality trade target? — CHICAGO — The last few nights of Matt Harvey 's time in New York were dark and full of errors. In Cincinnati, things have brightened for the former Dark Knight. So the question now: What's next?
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant headed out soon on minor-league rehab assignment — Photos from the Cubs' 8-7 win against the Reds on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant fielded ground balls at third base for a long time Saturday morning, but that will probably …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds bullpen blows 5-run lead in loss to Chicago Cubs — CHICAGO - After a run scored on a ground out, Anthony Rizzo received a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field crowd on his way back to the dugout. — The Reds, who had won five straight games against the Cubs …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jared Hughes says sprinting from bullpen helped save his career — When fans watch Reds reliever Jared Hughes sprint from the bullpen to the mound, there are cheers around the crowd. — It's a tradition that Hughes started when he pitched in the minor leagues.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Joey Votto has trouble making it past Wrigley Field security before Cincinnati Reds game
Discussion:
Sporting News
ESPN:
Yankees' Aroldis Chapman exits as left knee tendinitis flares up — New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman left Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a recurrence of left knee tendinitis. — Chapman struck out Randal Grichuk before exiting in the ninth inning, escorted by a team trainer.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Why J.A. Happ may still be Yankees best trade option despite disastrous audition — TORONTO — Now what? — Sure, the Yankees improved to 50-19 in games not started by Sonny Gray on Saturday. — The only problem was that J.A. Happ, a potential trade target, pitched a lot like Gray has lately …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
Aroldis Chapman leaves Yankees game with possible leg injury
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke is 34 years old. He is throwing his fastball slower than ever. He has had stretches this season when his slider, which last year was perhaps his best secondary pitch, has not been reliable.
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Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … It's been a rough season for Alex Avila. — Avila, who was signed to a two-year deal in January to take over as the Diamondbacks' starting catcher this season, has struggled to the tune of a .124 batting average to go along with 54 strikeouts in 45 games.
Tyler Drake / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks reinstate Alex Avila from DL, option Bracho to Reno
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Tales: Who might be going, and why — There is so much Rays to chat about right now, what with the still evolving pitching plan, Sunday's expected All-Star berths for C Wilson Ramos and LHP Blake Snell, and the stadium reveal coming Tuesday. — Under cover are the calls …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks' power surge couldn't have come at more perfect time for Yankees — TORONTO — A recent power surge has vaulted Aaron Hicks into the middle of the Yankees' lineup. — Hicks has five home runs in his last five games, including a three-homer performance July 1 against the Red Sox.
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Aaron Hicks exits game against Blue Jays, replaced by Clint Frazier
George A. King III / New York Post:
Gary Sanchez feels ready to return — but he won't get to
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Curtis Crabtree / Associated Press:
Robinson Cano apolgizes to fans, Mariners for 80-game suspension — Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano apologized to his teammates, the organization and the fans for his 80-game suspension for violating baseball's drug agreement. — Cano tested positive for Furosemide …
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Paul Sullivan / Baltimore Sun:
Astros slap down White Sox again in 12-6 win as James Shields, bullpen struggle — Photos of White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. — Chicago Tribune — James Shields' time with the White Sox may be nearing an end if they can find a contender in need of a veteran starter for the back end of its rotation.
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Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles busy fielding offers from Dodgers, six other teams on Manny Machado — The Orioles continue to move quickly toward trading shortstop Manny Machado in advance of this month's nonwaiver trade deadline and are in the process of fielding offers from seven teams, according to an industry source.
Discussion:
Sporting News, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News …, School of Roch, Orlando Sentinel, MLB Daily Dish, Sportsnet.ca and Talking Chop
Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
Astros call up top prospect and former Hook Kyle Tucker and Astros fans are happy — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have called up top prospect Kyle Tucker from Triple-A Fresno, and Astros fans could not be happier. — Tucker, who spent the 2017 season with the Hooks …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Fantasy baseball waiver wire: Astros promote top prospect Kyle Tucker
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, MLB Baseball News …, The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Trade Rumors
Dana Sulonen / Detroit Free Press:
Whoa! Watch Detroit Tigers' JaCoby Jones rob Adrian Beltre of home run — It's been a good day so far for the Tigers against the Texas Rangers on Saturday. — It started with the Tigers taking a 7-0 lead in the first inning. — It continued with Tigers pitcher Mike Fiers …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Dana Gauruder / UPI:
Rangers-Tigers matchup could be audition for Cole Hamels, Mike Fiers
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Lone Star Ball
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carlos Martinez hits stride on the mound, and at the plate, as Cards beat Giants — SAN FRANCISCO • One of the things pitching coach Mike Maddux noticed about the pitcher he's charged with catapulting from garden-variety All-Star to league-leading elite was no matter how Carlos Martinez started …
Adam London / NESN.com:
Red Sox Wrap: Boston's Bats Come Alive Late In 15-4 Win Over Royals — The Boston Red Sox are having their way with Kansas City Royal pitching. — The Red Sox's bats put on a show for the second straight night at Kauffman Stadium to the tune of a 15-4 victory over the lowly Royals.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Jill Painter Lopez / Associated Press:
Ohtani helps Angels rally past Dodgers 3-2 — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Shohei Ohtani is limited to hitting these days because of an elbow injury. — He remains quite the presence for the Los Angeles Angels. — Ohtani's two-out walk helped set up a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
