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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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Gibbons will gave Osuna clean slate when he returns to Blue Jays — With closer Roberto Osuna due to make his next court appearance in Toronto on Monday and his 75-game suspension just four weeks from ending, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is looking forward to the return of the young pitcher.
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Broadway audition goes bust for Jays' Happ in loss to Yankees — As Broadway auditions go, the Saturday afternoon show at the Rogers Centre for Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ was a colossal flop. — And to make matters worse on what is truly devolving into another debacle of a season for the Jays …
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 — TORONTO — This might have been a costly win for the New York Yankees. — In the midst of an All-Star caliber season, closer Aroldis Chapman exited in the ninth inning — escorted off the mound by head athletic trainer Steve Donohue …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Toronto Sun:
Bautista's winning slam could invigorate Mets vs. Rays — NEW YORK — It took Jose Bautista 1,727 major league games to hit a walk-off home run. It only seems like it has been that long since the New York Mets won consecutive games at home. — The Mets will hope Bautista's long-awaited walk-off …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, DRaysBay and Amazin' Avenue
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Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Steven Matz latest victim of woeful offense as Mets get shut out by Rays — Steven Matz got the Jacob deGrom treatment from the Mets offense. — Matz battled through shaky command to limit the Rays to one run over 6.1 innings Saturday at Citi Field, but the Mets failed to score before falling …
Associated Press:
Snell helps Rays blank Mets 3-0 — NEW YORK (AP) — Tampa Bay's Blake Snell and Wilson Ramos are hoping they both get selected to the American League All-Star team. Saturday afternoon's performance at Citi Field may have strengthened the batterymates' chances.
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
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 / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Astros manager A.J. Hinch sees brighter days for White Sox, and Rick Renteria's positivity is a big reason — Photos from the White Sox's 12-6 loss to the Astros on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. — Chicago Tribune — It's hard to envision the bright side …
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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.
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:
MLB Baseball News …, Sporting News, MLB Trade Rumors, Orlando Sentinel, MLB Daily Dish 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
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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
Associated Press:
Reynolds drives in career-best 10, Nationals win again — WASHINGTON (AP) — Mark Reynolds homered twice and drove in a career-high 10 runs, Max Scherzer won for the first time since June 5, and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 18-4 on Saturday night.
Alan Saunders / Associated Press:
Phillies top Pirates, 3-2 for sixth straight win — PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Philadelphia Phillies won another one-run game to extend their winning streak to six games. — Nick Williams, Scott Kingery and Jorge Alfaro drove in runs on consecutive at-bats in the seventh inning to help Philadelphia win 3-2 on Saturday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bucs Dugout
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 …
