Cincinnati Reds' slumping Elly De La Cruz benched for crucial game vs. Minnesota Twins  —  Elly De La Cruz, the long-slumping Cincinnati Reds rookie shortstop, was benched Wednesday for the third time in eight games, first against a right-handed starter for the switch-hitter who has struggled against lefties since his June 6 debut.

Chicago White Sox expected to add 3 new front office members: Josh Barfield, Brian Bannister and Gene Watson  —  WASHINGTON — Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol lauded Josh Barfield's presence, Brian Bannister's creativity and Gene Watson's wealth of knowledge.

MLB qualifying offer getting increase to record high  —  The Major League Baseball qualifying offer will rise to approximately $20.5 million for players on the upcoming free-agent market, The Post has learned.  —  An exact figure must be agreed to by MLB and the MLB Players Association …

How the $445 million Mets crashed and burned  —  It was May, barely a month into the Mets season, and the visiting clubhouse at Comerica Park was silent.  The typical frenzy of a getaway day had been replaced by introspection, players sitting at nearly every locker, heads down as they scrolled through their phones.

Jed Hoyer laments Chicago Cubs' recent skid that ‘came out of nowhere’ — but adds 'now we've got to recover from it'  —  Halfway across the world, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer followed the Chicago Cubs' toughest loss of the season on his phone.

Oakland vs. the A's: The inside story of how it all went south (to Las Vegas)  —  AT 6 P.M. ON Wednesday, April 19, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was driving home from an event for the opening of a local business when she received a call from A's president Dave Kaval.  —  “Hey, just a heads-up,” Thao recalls Kaval saying.

Detroit rookie Reese Olson pitches the Tigers past the Dodgers 4-2 to avoid a sweep  —  Reese Olson continues to make his case for being a part of the Detroit Tigers rotation next season.  The rookie won for the third time in his last four starts, combining with two relievers on a three-hitter …

Tigers Name Jeff Greenberg General Manager  —  The Tigers announced Thursday morning that they've hired Jeff Greenberg as their new general manager.  The 37-year-old Greenberg worked with current Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris with the Cubs, serving as the team's director …

Giancarlo Stanton's uncertain Yankees future, Clarke Schmidt's workload, Chad Green's visit  —  NEW YORK - Trotting around the bases is Giancarlo Stanton's specialty, but he's a good distance past being the impact offensive force the Yankees once envisioned.  —  This isn't anything new.

Burger hits game-winning single in 9th, Marlins beat Mets 4-3 after blowing late lead  —  MIAMI — Jake Burger hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 4-3 on Tuesday night after blowing a late lead.

Rays confident of closing deal for $1.3B downtown St. Petersburg stadium  —  If approved, the team will pay $700 million, and the city and county will split $600 million.  The plan is to break ground next fall, with the fixed-roof domed stadium to open in 2028.

Orioles reduce rotation to five starters by changing Flaherty's role  —  HOUSTON - Jack Flaherty is moving to the bullpen.  —  Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is starting Kyle Bradish in Wednesday afternoon's series finale in Houston, and rookie Grayson Rodriguez gets the ball Thursday night in Cleveland.