Yankees struggles against Astros continue in 2-1 loss  —  HOUSTON — The past week hasn't been good to the idea that the Yankees are an unbeatable machine, one that's destined for a long-awaited return to the mountaintop.  —  Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Astros is the Yankees' third in their five games against Houston this week.

Ravens player Jaylon Ferguson died of fentanyl and cocaine, medical examiner office says  —  Jaylon Ferguson, the Ravens outside linebacker found unresponsive last month in a North Baltimore home, died from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, according to a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Cincinnati Reds reliever Lucas Sims to miss remainder of 2022 season due to back injury  —  There was no hiding the frustration in Lucas Sims' voice as he stood in front of his locker.  —  He did everything he could to try to pitch through back pain, but it eventually became too much.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is on the verge of his 3rd All-Star Game.  He hopes Ian Happ joins him.  —  Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is on the verge of starting in his third All-Star Game.  —  And if Contreras has his way, he won't be the only Cubs player heading to Dodger Stadium in less than three weeks.

Jarren Duran chooses to get vaccinated, will be available for Red Sox in Toronto in September and October  —  After being forced to watch the Red Sox lose two out of three to the Toronto Blue Jays because he wasn't allowed in Canada, Jarren Duran has decided to get vaccinated.

Mets among teams interested in Orioles' Trey Mancini  —  MORE FROM:  —  The Mets are among teams to check in on Trey Mancini, whose market is heating up.  Buck Showalter knows him from Baltimore.  We suggested here they could use a hitter; Andrew Benintendi or Josh Bell also would fit.

Mock: Jones, Holliday headline, as OU's Horton joins Round 1  —  CARY, N.C. — I'm down here for the PDP League, taking a moment in the run up to the 2022 Draft to get a look at the '23 high school class.  So are a ton of scouts, which initially got me excited to be able to mingle and get some good mock Draft information.

2022 MLB Mock Draft V 5.0  —  It's a unique time on the calendar, however, as the college season is in the rearview mirror, but the scouting industry is largely spending time getting their first in-depth looks at the 2023 draft class.  There are plenty of scouts in Cary, N.C. …

Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!  Celebrating the legendary contract that keeps on giving  —  Happy July 1.  —  Today is the day this country loves to celebrate in style, seeing an all-American dream play out in living color.  —  It's a little premature for July 4th fireworks.

Juan Toscano-Anderson, Oakland legend, primed for next act after Warriors  —  Most people leave home to chase their dreams.  Juan Toscano-Anderson left Oakland and went to Milwaukee and Monterrey, Mexico, in pursuit of his.  Rare is the man who comes home to make his dream come true.

9 MLB players who should be first-time All-Stars at Dodger Stadium  —  The Midsummer Classic is just a few weeks away with a handful of players set make lifelong dreams come true.  —  At some point, everybody's a first-time All-Star.  —  Oh, this year's rendition of Major League Baseball's …