Tigers Acquire Joakim Soria  —  10:25pm: The Tigers have announced the deal, making it official.  —  9:23pm: The Tigers have agreed to acquire reliever Joakim Soria from the Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel, Kyle Bogenschutz of Scout.com was first to report on Twitter.

Hamels, Utley Lead Phils Over Giants 2-1  —  PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched eight strong innings and Chase Utley had a tiebreaking RBI single in the fifth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.

Ortiz (back) questionable for Price rematch  —  TORONTO — Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz left in the ninth inning of Thursday's 8-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays with what he believes was a back spasm.  —  Ortiz, who said he felt the discomfort after checking his swing on a 1 …

Ryan Howard sits; future with team a major question  —  Slumping Ryan Howard was not in the Phillies' starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher for the second time in six post-all-star break games on Thursday night, and his future with the team is in serious question.

Ex-MLB star Chuck Knoblauch accused of assaulting ex-wife in Bunker Hill  —  HOUSTON - Former Major League Baseball star Chuck Knoblauch was arrested Wednesday night and accused of assaulting his ex-wife.  —  Knoblauch, 46, is charged with assault of a family member after allegedly hitting Cheri Knoblauch inside her Bunker Hill home.

Epstein not thrilled with Cards ‘gift’ draft pick  —  The St. Louis Cardinals were unlikely winners Wednesday when they secured a bonus draft pick in Major League Baseball's competitive balance lottery.  —  Theo Epstein, for one, couldn't deny feeling a tad bitter about the Cardinals' good fortune.

Mariners Acquire Kendrys Morales  —  The Mariners have acquired Kendrys Morales from the Twins in exchange for right-hander Stephen Pryor, the team announced.  —  Morales' stay with the Twins didn't prove to be a lengthy one, as his tenure in Minnesota lasted just 39 games.

Tanaka feeling only marginal improvement  —  NEW YORK — Masahiro Tanaka is still reporting discomfort in his right elbow, 10 days after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, but the Yankees are still hopeful to have the right-hander return to the big league mound this season.

Rizzo comes through for courageous young fan  —  CHICAGO — When Anthony Rizzo crossed home plate after hitting his 24th, and then his 25th home run, he touched his fingers to his lips and then pointed to the sky.  It was a message to a 22-year-old cancer patient whom the Cubs first baseman had met earlier in the day.

Athletics Designate Jim Johnson For Assignment  —  12:04pm: The A's announced that they have actually designated Johnson for assignment, not released him (though that could obviously be the ultimate outcome of the move).  Evan Scribner has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill his roster spot.