Green, first black player on Red Sox, dies at 85  —  MLB, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets  —  BOSTON — Former Boston Red Sox infielder Elijah “Pumpsie” Green, the first black player on the last major league team to field one, has died.  He was 85.  —  A Red Sox spokesman confirmed …

Injury update on Iowa Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay indicates ‘slight biceps soreness’  —  Iowa Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay won't pitch in the Futures Game.  But he's still excited about attending it.  —  CONNECT  —  Iowa Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay left Wednesday's game with what appears to be a bicep injury.

Pete Alonso, Dominic Smith break out big guns for late game rally  —  By the time Pete Alonso busted out of his post-Home Run Derby slump, the Mets were well on their way to a 14-4 win over the Twins.  The rookie mashed a two-run, 474-foot bomb into the middle of the third deck …

Blue Jays Designate Nick Kingham For Assignment  —  The Blue Jays announced on Thursday that they've designated right-hander Nick Kingham for assignment.  His spot on the active roster will go to lefty Thomas Pannone, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will start today's game.

Twins Designate Matt Magill For Assignment  —  The Twins have designated right-hander Matt Magill for assignment, as per a team press release.  Righty Kohl Stewart has been called up from Triple-A to take Magill's roster spot.  —  Magill has been a solid, if unspectacular …

Hector Neris, Noe Ramirez Receive 3-Game Suspensions  —  5:03pm: Angels righty Noe Ramirez has also been suspended for a trio of contests after also being deemed to have thrown at the head of a hitter.  In his case, he went after Jake Marisnick in apparent retribution for the outfielder's own recent actions …

Cardinals Sign Rookie Jalen Thompson, Cut Desmond Harrison  —  Jalen Thompson was originally expecting to be reporting to Washington State's training camp in early August.  —  Instead, the safety was in Tempe Wednesday, arriving with the rest of the Cardinals rookies and signing …

Yankees' manager says Gary Sanchez's thumb not to blame for recent slump  —  The eighth inning of Tuesday night's win over the Rays could have gone either way.  After Aaron Judge hammered the go-ahead home run, the Yankees had three out of four hitters coming up to the plate who were slumping …

10 things to watch in the two weeks prior to the MLB trade deadline  —  Every game, the old chestnut goes, counts the same in the standings.  And this is true.  Baseball gives no additional weight to extra-inning games, blowouts or comebacks.  Each is 1/162nd of an expertly divided pie.

MLB Targeting International Draft As Soon As 2020  —  Major League Baseball is discussing a 20-round international draft concept, with a goal of implementing the draft as soon as 2020, with 2021 another possibility.  —  MLB officials met yesterday with international club personnel in Miami …