Bryce Harper Hits 3 HRs in 3 ABs Before Grounding Out  —  WASHINGTON — Bryan Harper hit three home runs in his first three at-bats for the Washington Nationals against Miami, then grounded out in what was likely his final trip to the plate..  —  Harper hit a solo shot in the second inning …

Jose Bautista says he's still not ready for defensive duty  —  Toronto Blue Jays all-star slugger Jose Bautista said he's feeling much better after his right-shoulder injury, but he hasn't returned to the form needed to resume defensive duty.  —  Bautista injured his shoulder as he tried …

Byrd Drives in 4, Reds Top Pirates 7-1  —  PITTSBURGH — Marlon Byrd homered and drove in four runs, Todd Frazier belted his National League-leading ninth home run and the Cincinnati Reds handled the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 on Tuesday night.  —  Byrd hit a two-run shot in the third inning off Jeff Locke …

Diamondbacks weighing their options at catcher, could pursue Jarrod Saltalamacchia  —  DENVER - The Diamondbacks' bats have been mostly quiet for several days now, although, in fairness, they haven't had a chance to make noise at Coors Field, where the weather remained uncooperativefor a second consecutive day.

Cardinals keep the rallies coming  —  Hours before his team found another way to win the improbable with contributions from the unexpected, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny described two different phases of the same club.  There is the team the Cardinals know they are, he said, and the team they dream of being.

Confirmed news on Rays' Alex Cobb: Partial tear in elbow, will try to pitch through it  —  Rays RHP Alex Cobb's season is very much in jeopardy.  —  The Tampa Bay Times has learned and confirmed that a new more detailed MRI revealed a partial tear in his elbow ligament.

Mets: Jeurys Familia relishes new role  —  NEW YORK - When Terry Collins told Jeurys Familia he would be taking over as the team's closer, Familia had a succinct message for his manager.  —  “Just give me the ball,” Familia recalled.  —  Thus far, giving the ball to Familia has turned out to be a successful strategy.

White Sox Designate Javy Guerra For Assignment  —  The White Sox announced that they've returned right-hander Javy Guerra from his rehab assignment at Triple-A, reinstated him from the disabled list and designated him for assignment.  —  Guerra, 29, had been rehabbing from right shoulder inflammation …

It's Not Just the Pitching; Sox Stink With Runners in Scoring Position  —  The Red Sox are back in last place and, yeah, it's really easy to point directly at their subpar pitching as the biggest reason.  But their vaunted lineup has gone south as well during this current homestand …

White Sox End 5-Game Slide With 5-2 Victory Over Tigers  —  CHICAGO — Jeff Samardzija pitched seven effective innings, and the Chicago White Sox snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.  —  Back at home after a strange road trip …

Javier Baez, manager ejected during I-Cubs win  —  Javier Baez found himself the center of attention again during the Iowa Cubs' 4-0 win over Nashville on Tuesday.  —  According to on-site reports in Nashville the hard-hitting infielder and Iowa manager Marty Pevey were ejected following an overturned call.