MLB trade deadline rumors heat up: Top players available, what to know  —  PHOENIX — We have been talking about this day for months.  —  We have devoted so many TV, radio and podcast hours, and even more written words on something that is often dreadfully boring.  —  And, mercifully, it's finally here.

Cubs Acquire Isaac Paredes For Christopher Morel, Two Prospects  —  The Cubs and Rays have lined up on an eye-opening trade in advance of the deadline, as Isaac Paredes is on his way to Chicago.  Christopher Morel and right-handers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson, comprise the three-player package heading …

Astros near deal with Blue Jays to add Yusei Kikuchi to beleaguered rotation: Sources  —  HOUSTON — The Astros supplemented their injury-ravaged starting rotation with one of the best rental starters available on the trade market.  —  Houston is acquiring left-hander Yusei Kikuchi …

Simone Biles shakes off a calf injury to dominate during Olympic gymnastics qualifying  —  The similarities were striking.  Maybe fitting in the birthplace of déjà vu.  —  Simone Biles sitting off to the side at the Olympics.  USA Gymnastics team doctor Marcia Faustin by her side.

What I'm hearing about the MLB trade deadline: Orioles aren't done, Royals looking for a bat  —  The Baltimore Orioles are not done.  They want to add a reliever, preferably left-handed, a right-handed hitting outfielder to replace Austin Hays and yes, maybe another starting pitcher, according to sources briefed on their plans.

Mariners get Justin Turner in trade with Blue Jays  —  The Seattle Mariners acquired veteran Justin Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, adding a proven bat with postseason experience to a lineup ravaged by injuries and ineffectiveness.  —  Turner joins outfielder Randy Arozarena …

Reyes Moronta, former MLB pitcher, dies at age 31  —  Former major league pitcher Reyes Moronta, who dominated out of the San Francisco Giants' bullpen for two seasons, died Sunday.  He was 31.  —  According to multiple reports, Moronta died in a traffic accident in his home country of the Dominican Republic.

Cardinals get Erick Fedde in 8-player deal with Dodgers, White Sox  —  The White Sox, Cardinals and Dodgers reached a three-team, eight-player trade Monday that sees St. Louis land starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham, and Los Angeles get super-utility man Tommy Edman and reliever Michael Kopech.

Royals acquire Michael Lorenzen from Rangers to boost rotation  —  The Kansas City Royals made a move to bolster their starting rotation before the trade deadline, acquiring right-hander Michael Lorenzen from the Texas Rangers on Monday.  —  The Rangers received left-hander Walter Pennington …

Padres bolster bullpen, send top pitching prospect to Rays for Jason Adam  —  BALTIMORE — The San Diego Padres addressed an urgent need Sunday by acquiring one of the best available right-handed relievers, Jason Adam, in a trade that required sending one of their best pitching prospects to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rangers rollercoaster careens in Canada with sweep by Blue Jays  —  After appearing as though they had turned a corner, a sweep by Toronto has the Texas Rangers back at square one ahead of the trade deadline.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Fresh off sweeping the last-place Chicago White Sox …

Inside the Clubhouse: Trade deadline buzz about Zach Eflin, Garrett Crochet, Blue Jays and more  —  FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray has the latest news on all the hottest MLB Trade Deadline targets.  —  In recent days, the trade market has picked up.  But one high-ranking executive commented …