Cubs content to keep their coveted middle infielders  —  NEW YORK — Six weeks to the day, the Cubs returned for the first time to the East Coast, where they saw reminders of last month's process-rattling trade everywhere they looked.  —  Or at least heard reminders of it from New York reporters every …

Cubs prospect Kris Bryant leaves Iowa game with toe injury  —  Hold your breaths, Cub fans.  —  Iowa Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, one of the most prized prospects in minor-league baseball, left Saturday night's 5-3 loss to Salt Lake at Principal Park early after suffering an injury to his left big toe.

Ortiz's 2 HRs, 6 RBIs Power Red Sox Over Astros  —  BOSTON — David Ortiz hit a pair of two-run homers, including his 400th in a Red Sox uniform, and drove in a career high-tying six runs to power Boston past the Houston Astros 10-7 Saturday night.  —  Big Papi joined Hall of Famers Ted Williams …

Cards notes: Wacha feels ‘great’ after throwing off mound  —  • By Rick Hummel rhummel@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8196  —  Michael Wacha won four postseason games last year as a rookie, including one in the World Series, but when he talks of plateaus now, he speaks in less gaudy terms.

Werner has good idea of how baseball can be improved  —  So, what did Red Sox chairman Tom Werner advocate during his presentation to major league owners on Wednesday and Thursday?  —  Werner, who finished runner-up to Rob Manfred in voting to be the next commissioner of baseball …

Braves sign Donnie Murphy  —  Sponsored Links  —  The Braves signed free agent Donnie Murphy and assigned the infielder to Triple-A Gwinnett Saturday.  —  Murphy, 31, appeared in 45 games for the Rangers earlier this season and hit .196 with four home runs and 14 RBIs.  He was released by the Rangers on July 9.

Carrasco shuts out Orioles for seven innings in Indians win  —  CLEVELAND - Carlos Carrasco shut out AL East-leading Baltimore on three hits over seven innings, lifting the Cleveland Indians to a 6-0 win over the Orioles on Saturday night.  —  Carlos Santana hit a three-run homer …

Alvarez Makes Successful Return in Marlins' Win  —  MIAMI — Henderson Alvarez made a successful return to the mound after missing two starts, pitching seven strong innings and leading the Miami Marlins to a 2-1 win over the sloppy Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.  —  Alvarez (9-5) allowed one run and five hits.

Garza improves; Brewers to skip Lohse's turn  —  LOS ANGELES — On the same day Matt Garza played catch for the first time since suffering a rib cage strain, the Brewers announced they would skip Kyle Lohse's next start to allow the right-hander time to heal a sprained right ankle.

Ryne Sandberg's big challenge: Juggling Phillies lineup  —  SAN FRANCISCO - There will come a point, Ryne Sandberg said, when the Phillies manager can discuss a playing-time strategy with his boss, Ruben Amaro Jr. At least, that is what Sandberg expects.  The Phillies entered Friday on pace for 71 wins …