Rangers Acquire Ryan Dempster  —  The Rangers acquired Ryan Dempster from the Cubs for minor league third baseman Christian Villanueva and minor league right-hander Kyle Hendricks.  The Braves and Dodgers were favored at various points for Dempster, but the Rangers jumped in and made the move and the 35-year-old approved the deal.

Nationals at the trade deadline: Live updates  —  The trade deadline will strike today at 4 p.m. The Nationals aren't expected to make any major moves, but as the cliché goes this time of year, everything can change with one phone call.  We'll keep posted you here with rumblings …

Red Sox get lefty Craig Breslow  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox on Tuesday acquired lefty reliever Craig Breslow from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed reliever Matt Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik.  —  The 31-year-old Breslow has a 2.70 ERA in 43 1/3 innings …

Ryan Sweeney apologizes, expected to miss 8 weeks  —  After the game on Monday night, Ryan Sweeney apologized for punching a door and apparently breaking a bone in his left hand.  —  He took to Twitter to apologize on Tuesday.  —  “Just want to apologize to my teammates, #RedSox, and fans.

Rockies' losing ways at home continue in 11-6 defeat to Cardinals  —  Sunsets at Coors Field can be breathtaking.  Baseball by the home team continues to be excruciating.  —  On a postcard perfect Tuesday night, the Cardinals took batting practice against Rockies pitchers, belting three home runs en route to an 11-6 victory.

Pirates Acquire Gaby Sanchez  —  2:28pm: The Pirates obtained right-handed reliever Kyle Kaminska in the deal, Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports (on Twitter).  The 23-year-old has a 5.20 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in 53 2/3 innings of work for the Marlins' top two affiliates this year.

Pierzynski Homers in 9th as White Sox Top Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning and the Chicago White Sox held on to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 Tuesday night.  —  After Alex Rios singled off Jeff Gray (5-1), Pierzynski hit a -2 pitch …

Cardinals bolster bullpen by adding Mujica  —  Former first-round pick Cox heads to Miami for righty reliever  —  DENVER — The Cardinals didn't stay silent in the hours leading up to Tuesday's 3 p.m. CT non-waiver Trade Deadline.  But by adding just one piece — right-handed reliever Edward Mujica …

Danks to have shoulder surgery, miss rest of season  —  MINNEAPOLIS — John Danks' season was officially shut down Tuesday, as the Chicago White Sox announced that their opening-day starter will undergo exploratory surgery on his left shoulder Monday, two hours after the non-waiver trading deadline.

Feliz to have Tommy John surgery  —  Texas Rangers pitcher Neftali Feliz needs Tommy John surgery to repair a tear in his right elbow and likely will be sidelined until next summer.  —  The two-time AL champion Rangers said Feliz will have surgery on Wednesday.

Reds Acquire Jonathan Broxton  —  The Reds added a late-inning reliever to the NL's best bullpen today, acquiring Jonathan Broxton from the Royals, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link).  The Reds sent Triple-A lefty Donnie Joseph and Double-A righty J.C. Sulbaran to the Royals in return …

Marlins Tried To Unload Carlos Lee  —  5:05pm: Two teams told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Marlins thought they had traded Lee to the Yankees today (Twitter link).  However, Lee wouldn't waive his no-trade clause.  The sides were never close to completing a trade, ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes (on Twitter).

Dodgers Acquire Brandon League  —  The Mariners have traded Brandon League to the Dodgers for prospects Leon Landry and Logan Bawcom, the team announced.  Earlier today we heard that a number of contenders had interest in Seattle's former closer as they looked to bolster their bullpens.

Sources: Reds in talks for Cubs' Garza  —  The Cincinnati Reds, one of the hottest teams in baseball, are not satisfied with their current position atop the NL Central.  —  The Reds, seeking to fortify the top of their rotation for a potential playoff run, are talking to the Chicago Cubs …

Iwakuma strikes out 13 to help Mariners defeat Blue Jays  —  SEATTLE — Hisashi Iwakuma struck out a career-high 13 and Michael Saunders and Kyle Seager had two hits apiece to help Seattle win its fifth consecutive game 4-1 over the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  Iwakuma (2-2) struck …