Silencing his doubters, Indians' Jose Ramirez deserves All-Star nod  —  CLEVELAND — Since he was a child in the town of Baní in the Dominican Republic, Jose Ramirez always heard he was too small to ever make it to the major leagues.  —  “I started playing little league in a place known as Fortuna.

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 …

Cubs' Todd Ricketts challenges Nationals during White House visit  —  Photos of the Cubs' visit to the White House on June 28, 2017.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs' visit to the White House provided some bulletin board material from board member Todd Ricketts and not President Donald Trump.

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.

Reds' Nick Senzel, Jimmy Herget named to Futures Game roster  —  Reds top prospect Nick Senzel got quite the 22nd birthday present on Thursday.  The third baseman was named to next month's Futures Game at Miami's Marlins Park on July 9.  —  Right-handed reliever Jimmy Herget will join …

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.

Perez, Moustakas homer to lift Royals over Tigers  —  DETROIT (AP) — There was no way any Detroit outfielder was going to catch this drive by Salvador Perez.  —  A night after he was robbed of an extra-base hit by the center fielder, Perez hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Rays employee helps save suicidal woman near Pirates stadium (w/video)  —  A Rays front-office employee joined umpire John Tumpane in saving a woman threatening to jump from a bridge near PNC Park on Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh.  —  Multimedia production manager Mike Weinman, 32 …

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.

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

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 …

Revere gets wacky winner in Angels' 3-2 victory over Dodgers (Jun 28, 2017)  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Ben Revere reached base on an error, advanced on a wild pitch and then scored the winning run on a passed ball and a throwing error caused by Cameron Maybin's walk-off strikeout.

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.