Inside Baseball: Big trade storylines involve Padres, Tigers, Hamels  —  After an almost unprecedented lull in trading action, two trades of some significance finally were completed Thursday.  The Astros became the first to land a viable starting pitcher when they brought Scott Kazmir back home …

Mets call up prospect Michael Conforto after placing Michael Cuddyer on DL  —  2h - MLB MICHAEL CUDDYER KYLE SCHWARBER NEW YORK METS + more  —  Adam Rubin discusses the value Mets prospect Michael Conforto will bring to the team during Michael Cuddyer's stint on the DL.

MLB Players' Association upset by Colin Cowherd's comments on Dominicans  —  Dominican major leaguers and the players union are demanding an apology or other action from outgoing ESPN host Colin Cowherd, who may have insulted a whole country with his on-air comments Thursday.

Dodgers' Kershaw Breezes Through Meek-Hitting Mets  —  NEW YORK — Clayton Kershaw pitched a three-hitter, retiring the first 18 batters in his second shutout of the season, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 3-0 on Thursday night.  —  Kershaw (8-6) now has thrown 29 consecutive …

Liriano Sharp as Pirates Drop Nationals 7-3  —  PITTSBURGH — Francisco Liriano allowed three hits over six-plus dominant innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates raced by the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Thursday night.  —  Liriano (6-6) struck out 11 against three walks as the Pirates returned …

State patrol: Don't stop for ducks  —  Cars Swerve for Ducks Crossing I-35 KARE  —  MOUNDS VIEW, Minn. - The Minnesota State Patrol asks that motorists do not stop for ducks, or any animal, regardless of how the situation may end.  This after a video, showing a family of ducks narrowly escaping injury, went viral.

Stark On Chapman, Shields, Cashner, Astros, Royals  —  The asking price on Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is currently said by one American League executive to be “exorbitant,” tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark.  Other clubs doubt that Reds owner Bob Castellini is open to allowing Chapman to be moved in a trade, according to Stark.

Angels Acquire Conor Gillaspie, Designate Adam Wilk  —  12:23pm: Los Angeles has designated pitcher Adam Wilk for assignment to clear 40-man space, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports on Twitter.  —  The 27-year-old has made just one appearance at the big league level this year and nine in his career.

Rays ready to talk trades, with Boxberger popular  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Most speculation leading to the July 31 deadline for nonwaiver trades will be on who the Rays could get to bolster their offense.  —  But they are more likely to trade away a player from their current big-league roster …

Altuve's Walkoff Homer Lifts Astros Over Boston 5-4  —  HOUSTON — Jose Altuve homered with one out in the bottom of the ninth, the last of his four hits, and the Houston Astros beat Boston 5-4 on Thursday night, extending the Red Sox's losing streak to a season-high eight games.

Hamilton not concerned about reception from Angels fans  —  Rangers fans cheered wildly in April 2013 when Josh Hamilton made outs during his first trip to Arlington as an Angels player.  He returns to Anaheim for the first time Friday.  Ron Jenkins Star-Telegram  —  jwilson@star-telegram.com

Lackey Goes 7, Rosenthal Holds On as Cardinals Beat Royals  —  ST. LOUIS — John Lackey threw seven strong innings after a shaky beginning, Trevor Rosenthal escaped his own jam in the ninth and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Thursday night.