Occasional rest will be best for Kris Bryant, Cubs during 23-game stretch  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kris Bryant has yet to swing a bat, and manager Joe Maddon already faces a juggling act once his slugger returns from the 10-day disabled list.  —  Maddon believes it might not take Bryant …

Gonzalez, Astros win 8-3, drop Mariners into wild-card tie  —  Marwin Gonzalez hit two of Houston's four home runs, and the  —  Seattle Mariners from the lead for the second wild card in the American League with an 8-3 win on Wednesday.  —  After a five-game losing streak …

Who might have won the World Series at the deadline — or lost it?  —  That was a fun deadline, as trades trickled in over two weeks, and then we ended up with a rush of activity in the final 24 hours.  What made this trade period especially unique was that most teams in playoff contention made multiple trades.

Texas Rangers resume Papa John's pizza promotion  —  In the wake of many professional sports teams cutting ties with Papa John's Pizza due to racist remarks by the company's founder, the Texas Rangers have become the first to re-establish their relationship.

Pirates' Chris Archer ready to make a splash after trade  —  PITTSBURGH — Chris Archer kept hearing from friends and former teammates that the Pittsburgh Pirates were different.  The proof came in the waves of people who approached the veteran pitcher as he walked the concourse …

Nationals DFA Shawn Kelley after tantrum on mound  —  The Washington Nationals have designated reliever Shawn Kelley for assignment, one day after he threw a tantrum on the mound following a home run.  —  In the ninth inning of Washington's 25-4 drubbing of the New York Mets on Tuesday …

Will Cole Hamels deliver as the Cubs' big deadline pickup?  —  PITTSBURGH — The Chicago Cubs are hoping that now — finally — is the time.  Time for their much talked about starting rotation to take command and lead the way to the team's fourth straight playoff appearance.

Matt Harvey plans to speak to New York media when the Reds open series against the Mets on Monday  —  Get ready, New York.  The one-time Dark Knight of Gotham is ready to talk.  —  The Reds told the Daily News Wednesday that the club is working on a plan to have Matt Harvey be made available …

Giants' Johnny Cueto to undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday  —  PHOENIX - The Giants on Wednesday announced the inevitable, that starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will undergo Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday.  —  Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers' orthopedist …

Outfielder Preston Tucker hoping to take advantage of opportunities with Cincinnati Reds  —  Homer Bailey discusses his 3-hit, complete game outing in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.  It was his first complete game since 2014.  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  CONNECT

Franklin Perez's lost year shows risks of Detroit Tigers' rebuilding  —  Recorded July 28, 2018 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press  —  It was lost in the shuffle of the next day's trade deadline, earning a headline but not the kind of attention it deserved.

“I definitely missed it.”  Rockies reliever Oh reunites with former city  —  Seung Hwan Oh's steely gaze and emotionless expression on the mound earned him the nickname “Dol-bucheo” — Stone Buddha — while he pitched in Korea, but the reliever couldn't hold back a smile when he caught sight of Adam Wainwright.

Lance Lynn could make first start for New York Yankees Saturday against Red Sox  —  Abbey Mastracco, Staff Writer, @AbbeyMastracco  —  NEW YORK — When Lance Lynn walks into a room, he commands attention.  He's 6-foot-5 and 280, give or take a pound or two, and his extended chest prompted …

Slumping Reynaldo Lopez asserts he's fine physically, but needs better focus  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Reynaldo Lopez insists he's feeling fine physically but the White Sox are monitoring him closely after a recent downturn in his results.  —  Rick Renteria said he, pitching coach Don Cooper …

Miley shuts down Dodgers in Brewers' 1-0 win  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) Wade Miley is a Louisiana guy with an affinity for Hollywood.  —  Miley remained undefeated at Dodger Stadium, delivering seven scoreless innings in the Milwaukee Brewers' 1-0 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday night …

Marlins-Braves rained out, to be part of DH on Aug. 13  —  Atlanta Braves scheduled for Wednesday night was postponed because of rain.  The game never started.  —  The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Aug. 13, when Miami returns to Atlanta.  —  Braves right-hander

Adam Lind Opts Out Of Red Sox Contract  —  The Red Sox have released first baseman Adam Lind after he opted out of his contract with the organization, per a club announcement (h/t Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, on Twitter).  He'll again head onto the open market in search of another opportunity.