Brewers among several teams to inquire about Red Sox ace Jon Lester  —  The Brewers, a team with a history of being aggressive at the trade deadline, is among several teams to be making a play for Red Sox ace Jon Lester.  —  Milwaukee, famous for acquiring CC Sabathia in July 2008, leads the NL Central by 1½ games.

Cubs reliever James Russell wants to start  —  As the Cubs try to figure out what their starting rotation will look like next year — or even down the stretch this year — James Russell believes he has one solution:  —  James Russell.  —  The left-handed reliever hasn't started since emergency duty …

Travis d'Arnaud homers to back Bartolo Colon as Mets beat Phillies for 14th win of July … It is a chore, of course, but the Mets lately have been doing their best to drag their followers from doubt to faith, from realism to magic.  —  With Monday night's 7-1 victory over the Phillies …

Orioles Unlikely To Move Top Young Arms, Not In On Kurt Suzuki  —  The Orioles have given multiple executives the impression that they are unwilling to deal any of their best young pitching prospects to add to the MLB roster, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Cishek, deGrom named co-NL Players of Week  —  A pair of young hurlers — Marlins closer Steve Cishek and Mets rookie Jacob deGrom — were named the co-National League Players of the Week on Monday after outstanding performances from the mound for the week of July 21-27.

The Pitchers Who Drive Ticket Sales the Most  —  When New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was diagnosed with a tear in his right elbow ligament earlier this month, the damage to his team was obvious.  With a 12-4 record and 2.51 earned-run average, Tanaka had been easily the Yankees' most valuable pitcher.

Morrow likely to pitch in relief upon return  —  Gibbons hoping to have veteran right-hander active by September  —  BOSTON — When Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow eventually returns this season, he'll likely be pitching out of the bullpen.  —  Manager John Gibbons gave some credence …

Cole hurls five scoreless innings in rehab start  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Gerrit Cole's first rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis won't make Pirates fans any more patient waiting for his return.  —  Taking the mound for the Indians on Monday night in Rochester, Cole blanked the Red Wings for five innings on five hits.

Bullpen remains Tigers' focus at Trade Deadline  —  Dombrowski keeping tabs on relief market even after making deal for Soria  —  DETROIT — Could last week's trade for Joakim Soria be the opener of a two-part move to upgrade the Tigers' bullpen?  Possibly.