Yankees approaching MLB trade deadline with a bullpen focus  —  The Yankees believe they are probably covered at first base with DJ LeMahieu and second with Jon Berti, Oswaldo Peraza and LeMahieu (who can play both spots) if either Gleyber Torres or Anthony Rizzo doesn't regain his usual form.

Maikel Garcia's game-ending hit gives Royals win over Yankees  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Maikel Garcia hit a game-ending two-run double off Yankees closer Clay Holmes, and the Royals recovered after squandering a brilliant start by Alec Marsh to beat New York 4-3 on Thursday and avoid a four-game sweep.

White Sox OF Andrew Benintendi returns, whiffs as pinch hitter  —  SEATTLE — The Chicago White Sox activated outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday night's game against the Seattle Mariners.  —  Benintendi, who had been sidelined by left Achilles tendinitis …

How Jeremiah Estrada invented the chitter and made history  —  JEREMIAH ESTRADA'S ASCENSION from fringe major leaguer to one of baseball's most dominant relief pitchers began last December at the San Diego Padres' biomechanics lab in Point Loma.  —  It was mere weeks after the Chicago Cubs …

Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander to get starts at 3B in place of struggling Eugenio Suarez  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks will give rookie Blaze Alexander opportunities at third base, manager Torey Lovullo said, a move driven by veteran Eugenio Suarez's dismal start and Alexander's hot bat through the first two months of the season.

Dodgers acquire Cavan Biggio in trade with Blue Jays  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired super-utility man Cavan Biggio in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, adding the veteran after the Blue Jays designated him for assignment last week.  —  In the deal, the Blue Jays …

Juan Soto's free agency contract, predicted by MLB insiders  —  For three straight years, baseball has had a clear No. 1 free agent whose projected contract dominates conversations around the sport for months.  —  First, it was Aaron Judge in the midst of a 62-home run campaign.

J.T. Realmuto To Undergo Knee Surgery  —  3:30pm: President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski says the club expects Realmuto to miss “about a month,” as relayed by Matt Gelb of The Athletic on X.  —  1:15pm: The Phillies announced that catcher J.T. Realmuto has been placed on the 10-day injured list …