Five teams to keep a close eye on  —  Phillies, Dodgers, Rangers, Giants and Cubs could be big players at deadline … Editor's note: Jayson Stark will be writing a Daily Rumble each day leading up to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.  —  As that cool countdown clock atop our ESPN.com MLB page …

Heel pain likely to delay Sox DH Ortiz's return  —  NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz canceled his planned exercises in Yankee Stadium on Sunday, making it unlikely that he will return from the disabled list on Wednesday, when he is first eligible to come back.

D'Backs Designate Lyle Overbay For Assignment  —  The Diamondbacks announced that they designated first baseman Lyle Overbay for assignment.  The move creates roster space for newly-acquired infielder Chris Johnson.  —  Overbay, 35, posted a .292/.367/.448 batting line in 110 plate appearances this year.

Sox starter Sale to get extended break  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Chris Sale's next start remains uncertain as the Chicago White Sox haven't said when their prized left-hander will make his next start.  —  “Going through a little dead-arm period I guess,” said Sale, who has thrown 124 innings …

Cubs talks with Dodgers for Dempster appear to be gaining momentum  —  Still hoping to add a starting pitcher, the Dodgers continue to engage the Cubs in discussions for Ryan Dempster and indications are that those talks are gaining momentum, according to CBSSports.com sources.

Ned Yost bans fraternizing on the basepaths because it angers Rex Hudler  —  Maybe there's more to this story than meets the eye, but what's meeting the eye here seems pretty dumb: Royals announcer Rex Hudler has made it his personal mission to stop Royals players from being friendly …

Mariners phones ringing often on League  —  Reliever Brandon League is a popular man in these last hours before Tuesday's trade deadline, with the White Sox, Dodgers, Giants and “more than a handful of other clubs” contacting the Mariners about him, according to CBSSports.com sources.

Brewers dismiss bullpen coach amid relief woes  —  Kyles replaced by Tunnell in fourth season working with Milwaukee's relievers  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have tried player moves and role changes to fix their struggling relief corps, to no avail, so on Monday they dismissed the bullpen coach.

Sources: Giants, Phillies are at least discussing a trade involving Hunter Pence  —  The Giants are trying to swing for Hunter Pence, CBSSports.com has confirmed.  —  While Giants people have denied a report from Sunday that there is a deal “in place” for Pence, and that appears to be the case …

Yankees' Mark Teixeira reveals that he snapped out of funk by defying ‘order’ to change swing  —  It was a little more than a year ago, at about the time Teixeira, a switch hitter, had 25 home runs by the end of June, when he says someone of prominence in the Yankee organization essentially insisted …