Montgomery strong, Chapman ends rally and Yanks top ChiSox (Jun 26, 2017)  —  CHICAGO (AP) Not much has come easy for the New York Yankees over the past two weeks.  Not even the wins.  —  Jordan Montgomery matched his season high with seven solid innings and closer Aroldis Chapman shut …

Questions abound in bullpens as Rays, Pirates open series (Jun 27, 2017)  —  PITTSBURGH — Eyes could be on the closers when the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series Tuesday at PNC Park.  —  The reasons, however, are different.  —  For Tampa Bay (40-38) …

Source: Recently released Francisco Rodriguez agrees to deal with Nats  —  The Washington Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed pitcher Francisco Rodriguez, according to ESPN's Buster Olney and multiple reports.  —  Rodriguez was released last week by the Detroit Tigers.

Kris Bryant might wind up as Cubs' lone All-Star representative  —  Kris Bryant previews the upcoming series against the Nationals on June 25, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  From seven to one?  —  That could be the difference in the Cubs' All-Star representation from 2016 to 2017.

Cubs' Willson Contreras leads off game with HR  —  The Cubs' Willson Contreras on batting leadoff vs. the Nationals on June 26, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs 1, Nationals 0 (third inning)  —  Willson Contreras, batting leadoff for the first time in his career …

Giants offense breaks out as they finally beat Rockies  —  SAN FRANCISCO  —  Well, what do you know?  All this time, stretching really was the issue for the San Francisco Giants this season.  —  They hadn't stretched enough singles into doubles or doubles into triples.

Greinke in a groove, until ...  Since allowing two singles to the Phillies in the first inning, Diamondbacks starter Zack Greinke has been on a tear.  The right-hander retired 12 batters in a row until walking Brock Stassi with one out in the fifth.  —  A diving stop by shortstop Nick Ahmed enabled …

Rangers Reaction: Progressive Field meltdown belongs to bullpen  —  CLEVELAND  —  Of all the ugly numbers to come out of the Texas Rangers' collapse Monday night, one stands above all others.  —  No, it's not the Rangers blowing a seven-run lead.  —  Rather, it's this …

Appeals court dismisses minor league player suit against MLB  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that dismissed a lawsuit filed by minor league baseball players accusing Major League Baseball of colluding to suppress wages.  —  The U.S. Court of Appeals …

MLB All-Star voting: Tigers' Miguel Cabrera in danger of missing out  —  The Tigers drafted Florida pitcher Alex Faedo with the 18th pick in June's draft.  We break down the numbers behind his dominating performance in the College World Series.  Video by Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press Wochit

With something to prove, three Cardinals come through  —  Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com  —  What Tommy Pham was looking for from Cincinnati's rookie center fielder was the lack of something the Cardinals' front office has tried to ignite within their clubhouse.

All-Star Game: Breaking down the most deserving to fill our AL roster  —  For baseball fans, the beauty of the All-Star Game is that they have a direct say in a portion of the roster.  —  The occasional bad fan choice, unfortunately, often means players having All-Star caliber seasons …

Charlie Sheen puts Babe Ruth ring, Red Sox sale document up for auction  —  Charlie Sheen has revealed himself as the owner of two of the most coveted pieces of Babe Ruth memorabilia, which will be sold Friday.  —  Sheen told ESPN on Monday that it is he who consigned Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring …