Kazmir's Spicy Start, Utley's Leadoff HR, Dodgers Top Nats  —  WASHINGTON — On the day the Dodgers announced Clayton Kershaw suffered an injury setback, the lineup and starter Scott Kazmir stepped up.  Some cramp-curing pickle juice and spicy mustard helped as well.

Former Cardinals scouting director sentenced to 46 months for hacking Astros database  —  Updated at 4 p.m. with comment from Astros , Correa and U.S. attorney.  —  HOUSTON  • The former St. Louis Cardinals scouting director who admitted he hacked accounts of the Houston Astros …

Ortiz Hits 3-Run Homer, Boston Beats San Francisco  —  BOSTON — Back home and rested, David Ortiz isn't ready to look at the second half of the season as the final stretch just yet.  —  Ortiz drove a three-run homer deep into the seats in right field and Rick Porcello remained unbeaten …

Familia Escapes Jam in 9th, Mets Beat Cubs 2-1  —  CHICAGO — Jeurys Familia escaped a bases-loaded jam with a game-ending double play after Rene Rivera drove in the tiebreaking run with two outs in the top of the ninth, lifting the New York Mets over the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Encarnacion Homers, Sanchez Wins Again in Toronto Victory  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJULY 20, 2016, 12:48 A.M. E.D.T.  —  PHOENIX — Edwin Encarnacion hit his 25th home run, Aaron Sanchez pitched seven strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Nick Tropeano is 3rd Angels pitcher to tear elbow ligament  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Nick Tropeano has become the third Los Angeles Angels starter to tear his ulnar collateral ligament this season.  —  The Angels announced Tropeano's injury Tuesday.  The right-hander left his start Monday against Texas after two innings.

Sources: Dodgers are open to trading struggling Yasiel Puig  —  Steve DelVecchio / Larry Brown Sports / Yardbarker  —  Player Y is one of the game's least productive right fielders.  Yet, he is not the only below-average hitter in his team's outfield, which ranks last in the majors …

Mets notes: Michael Conforto experiment  —  Conforto experiment  —  Michael Conforto returned to the team for Monday's game against the Cubs and may start playing center field against right-handers to accommodate Yoenis Cespedes in left field.  —  Conforto said he last manned center while attending Oregon State.

Orioles Designate Henry Urrutia For Assignment, Place Hyun Soo Kim On DL  —  The Orioles announced today that they have placed left fielder Hyun Soo Kim on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, with a strained hamstring.  In his place, the club has selected the contract …

Rangers Receiving Heavy Interest In Jurickson Profar  —  The Rangers are receiving a “ton of calls” expressing interest in infielder Jurickson Profar, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  Texas appears to be weighing whether it truly wants to part with the 23-year-old …

Nationals “Showing Interest” In Charlie Blackmon  —  The Nationals are showing interest in Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com (via Twitter).  While it's not yet clear whether Colorado will deal the center fielder, we heard recently that the club was open …

Getting closer to returning from the DL, the right-hander could help turn pitching rotation around down stretch  —  It starts and ends with Jordan Zimmermann.  —  If the Detroit Tigers are to navigate their way through the American League wild card race and perhaps even jump ahead of the Indians …

MLBPAA announces winners of 12th annual Heart & Hustle Award  —  One player from each club is honored; overall winner presented Nov. 15  —  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce the 30 preliminary winners of the 2016 Heart and Hustle Award.