Top News:
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Morse closing in on return to Mariners lineup — SEATTLE — Michael Morse was scheduled to play nine innings in right field for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday night in his fourth rehab game, and a decision could come soon on when he'll rejoin the Mariners, according to interim manager Robby Thompson.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Canadian Press:
Iwakuma earns 10th win, Mariners top Twins — SEATTLE — Hisashi Iwakuma allowed four hits in six shutout innings, and the Seattle Mariners scored six runs in the second en route to an 8-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night. — Iwakuma (10-4), who won his third straight decision, struck out nine and walked one.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Twinkie Town
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Soriano back in pinstripes after trade with Cubs — The New York Yankees, desperately trying to stay in the playoff race, completed a trade Friday morning for Chicago Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano that's expected to be approved by Major League Baseball. — The Yankees, according …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs give emotional goodbye to veteran Soriano — Clubhouse leader bids farewell to teammates, mentees before leaving for New York — PHOENIX — Alfonso Soriano has been criticized for his huge contract, for his misplays in the outfield and for striking out with runners on, but on Thursday …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mets Add International Slot Value From Angels — The Mets have added to their international bonus pool by acquiring an international slot value from the Angels in exchange for outfielder Julio Concepcion and righthander Andres Perez. — The Mets will receive the Angels' No. 2 slot value …
Discussion:
Metsblog, MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
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Scott Ferguson / TSN.ca:
JAYS' TRADE DEADLINE PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK A MYSTERY — The Toronto Blue Jays made a couple of deals heading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline a year ago and both were designed to shore up the bullpen. — They dealt outfielder Travis Snider - a former first-round pick …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Canadian Press
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Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Source: Jays' Morrow likely done for the season
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Bluebird Banter and CBSSports.com
MLB.com:
Phillies place Brown on seven-day concussion DL — ST. LOUIS — Domonic Brown sounded pretty optimistic he would be back in the Phillies' lineup Friday in Detroit. — But he will not be back until next Wednesday at the earliest. — The Phillies placed Brown on the seven …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Outfield is the main focus, but Rangers mull Michael Young return — Seen as the most likely Phillies player dealt, Michael Young is a Texas clubhouse favorite (USATSI) — The Rangers are focused on outfielders at the moment, but they've talked at least internally about the possibility …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, SI Wire, Lone Star Ball and The Good Phight
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
George Brett resigns as Royals' hitting coach — Hall of Fame icon George Brett promised the Royals on May 30 that he'd commit for one month as their interim hitting coach. On Thursday, after eight weeks in the role, he stepped away from that duty. — “I just felt it was time for me to move on …
Discussion:
SI Wire, CBSSports.com and Royals Review
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Mets playing better than Yankees right now - and without the drama — The Mets are just the Mets. They aren't very good and won't be very good in the near future, but they aren't performing terribly at the moment. Their biggest stars, David Wright and Matt Harvey, actually make it onto the field.
Tony Paul / detroitnews.com:
Tigers' Omar Infante suffers a setback; Darin Downs likely to return Friday — One took a step back, the other a step forward. — But the step back could be a big one. — Tigers second baseman Omar Infante left early in his rehab game with the Single A West Michigan Whitecaps …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Angels Offense Awakens in 8-3 Win Over A's — OAKLAND, Calif. — Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo each drove in two runs to power the Los Angeles Angels past the Oakland Athletics 8-3 on Thursday night. — C.J. Wilson (11-6) allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Danny Knobler / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Ex-Giants closer Brian Wilson ‘looks good’ in Thursday audition — With the bullpen trade market more crowded with buyers than sellers, one-time Giants closer Brian Wilson drew quite a crowd when he threw for scouts on Thursday in Los Angeles. — Wilson hasn't pitched in a game in more than 15 months …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster and whygavs.com
