As the Chicago Cubs bullpen racks up innings, the heavy workload is testing the team's relievers  —  The All-Star break can't come soon enough for the Chicago Cubs bullpen.  —  A strength for most of the season, Cubs relievers have been taxed by a rotation marred by injuries and stretches of short outings.

Dodger Stadium concession workers threaten to strike MLB All-Star Game  —  Dodger Stadium concession workers could go on strike in advance of next week's All-Star Game, the union representing those workers said Monday.  —  Of the food and beverage workers at Dodger Stadium …

Heat's Caleb Martin moves up on pay scale, now must scale challenge at power forward  —  LAS VEGAS — Caleb Martin is thinking big.  It is an attitude that delivered his first significant contract.  And it is an approach that potentially could make the Miami Heat better for his return.

Toronto Blue Jays fire manager Charlie Montoyo amid recent struggles  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays fired manager Charlie Montoyo on Wednesday and promoted bench coach John Schneider to interim manager for the remainder of the season.  —  Triple-A manager Casey Candaele was named interim bench coach.

The Worst Seat In Baseball: All 30 MLB Ballparks Ranked … The worst seat in baseball is the first seat in baseball. … “America's Most Beloved Ballpark” played host to its first major-league game on April 20, 1912, just five days after the Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Dylan Cease, left off the All-Star team, is focused on improving.  'There's still room to get better,' the Chicago White Sox starter says.  —  CLEVELAND — Dylan Cease ranks among the best in the American League in several pitching categories.  —  He led the league in strikeouts per nine innings …

Ex-Cowboys running back Marion Barber III's death caused by heat stroke, coroner says  —  The Collin County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled that former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III died of heat stroke, according to a copy of the autopsy report obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Monday.

What's next for Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz after the Rudy Gobert trade?  —  Jazz execs won't say the All-Star guard is “untouchable,” but for now he remains a critical piece of the team's plan going forward.  —  Las Vegas  • Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik has already traded one All-Star.

How Reds center fielder Nick Senzel turned around his season over the last month  —  When the Cincinnati Reds' outfield got back to full strength last week, Reds manager David Bell didn't commit to naming a starting center fielder.  —  At the time, Bell left open the possibility that Nick Senzel …

Mets downed by Atlanta's late homers, excellent bullpen  —  ATLANTA — For a second time in as many games Tuesday night, the Mets' depleted lineup managed to do what few other clubs have done lately, drive up the pitch count of one of Atlanta's highly effective starting pitchers …

J.D. Martinez knows why this trade deadline is ‘very weird’  —  LISTEN TO J.D. MARTINEZ'S TAKE ON THE TRADE DEADLINE  —  Bradfo Sho on the Go: J.D. Martinez talks trade deadline  —  In 2017, the designated hitter was part of one of the biggest deals of that season's deadline, going from the Tigers to the Diamondbacks.

MLB Mock Draft 3.0: Keith Law updates his projection as draft week begins  —  This is my penultimate mock draft for 2022 — that means it's my next to last one, folks.  With just six days left until Draft Day, there's at least some more smoke out there around some teams' interest in specific players …

Brian Cashman's Yankees masterpiece needs little work at deadline  —  MORE FROM:  —  General manager Brian Cashman, the second most important Yankees free agent, left Boston after watching his Yankees' first three games here.  He still has work to do — a little anyway.

Orioles closer Jorge López named American League All-Star for first time as Baltimore's lone representative  —  Orioles closer Jorge López will represent the Baltimore Orioles in this season's MLB All-Star game at Dodger Stadium.  (Baltimore Sun)  —  Brandon Hyde couldn't finish his thought.