Ellsbury, Phelps Lead Yankees to 4-3 Win Over Reds  —  NEW YORK — Jacoby Ellsbury hit a two-run homer, and David Phelps pitched the Yankees to a fast start in the second half, leading New York to a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.  —  Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran …

Alderson wants to see more before deadline buy or Murphy sell  —  Mets GM Sandy Alderson (inset) wants to see the Mets play 10 more games before making a trade deadline call on second baseman Daniel Murphy and others.  —  SAN DIEGO — Despite the Mets' improved play heading into the All-Star break …

Arencibia says he used to be his own worst enemy  —  TORONTO — A reflective J.P. Arencibia says he has been his own worst enemy in the past.  —  “A lot of my struggles were from doubts and trying to do too many things,” the former Blue Jay told reporters Friday upon his return to Rogers Centre with the Texas Rangers.

Astros Fail To Sign Aiken, Nix, Marshall  —  5:25pm: The Astros have released their own statement, saying that the club's final offer was “extremely fair considering all the factors involved in this case” and insisting that the team “approached these negotiations in good faith and with the best interests …

Billy Butler doesn't want to be traded, hopes Royals pick up $12.5 million option for 2015  —  Billy Butler swung a pair of Mariucci bats inside the visitors' clubhouse at Fenway Park, rotating the lumber from hand to hand, pondering the factors behind his first-half torment.

Braves Release Dan Uggla  —  2:05pm: The Braves announced that they have officially released Uggla (Twitter link).  —  1:40pm: The Braves will release embattled second baseman Dan Uggla, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter).  —  The 34-year-old Uggla's tenure …

NINE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEST CHANGEUP IN BASEBALL … If the baseball season ended today, an awful lot of people would be awfully confused, and the Seattle Mariners would qualify for the playoffs.  —  There's no bigger reason for the Mariners' success than Felix Hernandez …

Greenberg could follow Selig - but will he?  —  Commissioner Bud Selig already asked him.  —  He said no.  —  Baseball owners asked again, with a request as recently as last week.  —  No again.  —  While Major League Baseball searches for the next commissioner to replace Bud Selig …

Fedde agrees, but no deal with second-rounder  —  Right-hander was Nats' first pick, No. 18 overall; Suarez says he's returning to college  —  The Nationals and their top Draft pick, Erick Fedde, reached agreement on a deal before Friday's 5 p.m. ET deadline, the team announced.

Angels Close To Acquiring Huston Street  —  9:47pm: A deal is being finalized to send Street to the Angels, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  —  9:18pm: The sides are indeed close, with second base prospect Taylor Lindsey expected to be part of the return to San Diego, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links).