Dodgers' Alex Verdugo, Yadier Alvarez and Angels' Jaime Barria selected to Futures Game  —  Dodgers prospect Yadier Alvarez pitches for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)  —  Outfielder Alex Verdugo and right-handed pitcher Yadier Alvarez have been selected to represent the Dodgers in the Futures Game.

Bibens-Dirkx's role unknown after Friday start  —  CLEVELAND  —  Just as Austin Bibens-Dirkx is beginning to slide into the routine of being in the Texas Rangers' rotation, his start Friday could end up being his last for an extended stretch.  —  That assumes, of course …

Padres beat Braves 7-4 as Colon struggles again … Luis Perdomo pitched five scoreless innings and  —  Cory Spangenberg contributed two RBIs apiece as the  —  Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Wednesday night.  —  San Diego's Carlos Asuaje and  —  Erick Aybar had three hits each.

Cubs lose Kris Bryant to ankle sprain in 8-4 loss to Nationals  —  Chicago Tribune  —  An uneven start that general manager Jed Hoyer described as a “slog” might be facing its first critical test.  —  Kris Bryant, the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player, turned his right ankle …

White Sox manager Rick Renteria ejected for fifth time this season  —  CHICAGO — White Sox manager Rick Renteria has been ejected for the third time in six games after getting tossed against the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.  —  Renteria got thrown out in the sixth inning when he went …

Make way for Dustin Fowler, the Yankees' latest exciting call-up  —  Dustin Fowler during a spring exhibition game AP  —  SEE ALSO  —  Another day, another Baby Bomber joining the Yankees' youth-infused first-place push.  —  Dustin Fowler has been called up by the Yankees …

Schebler makes like Spider-Man to rob a home run  —  With 20 bombs this season, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Scott Schebler is no stranger to home runs.  —  Hitting them, that is.  —  On Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, the right fielder took one away, climbing the outfield wall to rob Stephen Vogt of a three-run homer.

Reddick and Springer lead Astros over Athletics 11-8  —  Oakland struck out 17 times; loss ended 4-game win streak  —  HOUSTON - Houston manager A.J. Hinch didn't even take a second to think about it when he was asked about how well Josh Reddick has been playing lately.

Thursday's game  —  Cardinals at Diamondbacks  —  Where: Chase Field (roof hotline: 602-462-6262).  —  Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (6-7, 4.89) vs. Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (5-5, 3.86).  —  TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).  —  Corbin is 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA in his past three starts.

Nationals To Sign Kevin Jepsen  —  The Nationals have agreed to a deal with righty Kevin Jepsen, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (Twitter link).  It's a minors pact with a July 26th opt-out opportunity, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets.  —  Jepsen, who'll soon turn 33 …

Asdrubal Cabrera now says he'll play any position for Mets  —  Asdrubal Cabrera apparently has had a change of heart regarding his future with the New York Mets.  —  Five days after requesting a trade because the Mets moved him from shortstop to second base, Cabrera told the New York Post that he was backing off the demand.

Steven Matz's gem provides Mets with much-needed boost … MIAMI — Steven Matz had pitched just badly enough for the Mets to lose in his previous two starts, but Wednesday night he left little to chance.  —  Pounding the strike zone, Matz enticed the Marlins into swinging.

Baseball's top ace?  Clayton Kershaw is no longer the clear answer  —  Who is the best pitcher in baseball right now?  For a long time — maybe since he won his first Cy Young Award in 2011 — the answer has been pretty easy: Clayton Kershaw.  —  The answer on June 29, however, may be Max Scherzer.

Ranking the rebuilders: In search of the next Astros  —  From time to time, nearly every organization must enter a rebuilding process.  —  You know the signs when you see them: Veterans are pared from the roster along with their exorbitant contracts.  Resources are shifted toward the draft, scouting and development.

Armed with new cleats, Vargas excited to debut against former team  —  Ildemaro Vargas was clearly excited, the rookie that was just called up to the majors smiled and shook hands as he entered the clubhouse, ready for his major league debut.  —  It will be a sweeter debut than he could have imagined …

Detroit Tigers' Alex Wilson thinks he knows why he's struggling  —  Free Press sports writer Jeff Seidel and Anthony Fenech discuss the potential trade market for the Tigers' Alex Avila and Justin Verlander.  Recorded Wednesday, June 28, 2017.  Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press