Last Slide  —  CHICAGO - Prior to Monday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was excited for the return of an important “weapon” to his bullpen.  —  Following Sunday's weekend finale against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field …

Homer Bailey not focusing on the past as he prepares to return to Cincinnati Reds rotation  —  The last two months have involved a lengthy stint on the disabled list and a failed experiment in the bullpen.  —  Speaking to reporters at Great American Ball Park on Monday …

Chris Archer, Nathan Eovaldi linked in trade talks as Yankees arrive at Tampa Bay  —  Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As the ex-Yankee Nathan Eovaldi chatted with a couple of New York area writers, Chris Archer entered the scene with a question of his own.

MLB power rankings: Will Brewers' recent collapse push them out of NL Central contention?  —  The National League Central race has shifted.  —  The Milwaukee Brewers, who were in first place for much of the last two months, have lost eight of their last nine games and fallen six spots to 10th …

Clearly ‘conservative treatment’ is not curing Yoenis Cespedes' heels, so Mets need a new strategy to keep slugger on the field  —  Friday night was a reminder.  With a single swing in the top of the third inning, Yoenis Cespedes reminded the Mets exactly what he can do.

Detroit Tigers Hall of Famers: Complete list of inducted players  —  THIRTEEN PLAYERS HAVE GONE INTO THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AS DETROIT TIGERS, INCLUDING JACK MORRIS AND ALAN TRAMMELL.  —  Hall of a class?  —  Hall, yes!  —  Shortstop Alan Trammell and right-handed pitcher Jack Morris …

Brewers' Brent Suter Diagnosed With Torn UCL  —  3:40pm: The Brewers announced that Suter does indeed have a UCL tear.  He's been placed on the 10-day DL for now, and right-hander Jorge Lopez has been recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs in his place.  —  3:15pm: Brewers left-hander Brent Suter …

Work in progress, Jays' Gurriel ‘has a chance to be really good’  —  At age 24, Blue Jays infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. still has some improving to do, but he's making the best of his second extended stint in the big leagues.  —  At the plate, the young Cuban has been on fire taking a streak …

Detroit Tigers' trade deadline: Sizing up interested contenders  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was here this time last year when the Detroit Tigers' rebuilding project officially began, with J.D. Martinez walking into the visitor's dugout at Kauffman Stadium late one afternoon, teary-eyed and ready to say goodbye.

Cubs relievers Brandon Morrow and Anthony Bass healing slowly  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs closer Brandon Morrow and reliever Anthony Bass might need longer than the required 10 days on the disabled list before they return.  —  Morrow said Sunday that his right arm still feels “cranky.”

Freeman leads 16-hit outburst as Braves beat Marlins 12-1  —  Freddie Freeman hit his 17th homer and also doubled for the  —  Atlanta Braves, who totaled 16 hits to beat the  —  Miami Marlins 12-1 on Monday night.  —  Freeman is batting .469 with five homers in eight games against Miami this year.

Chase Utley makes it clear where Phillies fans rank in his heart  —  Phillies fans, if you're wondering why  —  Chase Utley announced his intention to retire while there was still more than two months to go in the season, well, throw your chest out and take a bow.  —  He did it because of you.

Column: Theo Epstein puts himself on the spot to solve Cubs' top concern — pitching depth  —  Cubs President Theo Epstein discusses pitching upgrades and the plan for pitcher Drew Smyly's rehab on Sunday, July 22, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Cubs could see return of starting pitchers batting 8th  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Anthony Rizzo's success at the leadoff spot has manager Joe Maddon considering batting his starting pitcher eighth to maximize run-producing opportunities with a position player batting ninth.