Top News:
Associated Press:
Red Sox cut losses, designate Sandoval for assignment — BOSTON (AP) — Panda-mania is over in Boston before it ever really began. — The Red Sox designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment on Friday, cutting their losses on the $95 million free agent who was never productive …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Pablo Sandoval went from a fun-loving figure to a pariah — Even as the San Francisco Giants were celebrating their third World Series championship of the decade in a champagne-soaked clubhouse in 2014, outfielder Gregor Blanco talked about his attempts to convince teammate Pablo Sandoval that the grass wasn't greener elsewhere.
Fox Sports:
LEADING OFF: Bumgarner back from crash, All-Stars aplenty — A look at what's happening all around the majors: — BUM IS BACK — Giants ace Madison Bumgarner returns to the mound for the first time since a dirt bike accident led to a sprained AC joint in his pitching shoulder and bruised ribs.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Designate Pablo Sandoval For Assignment
Red Sox Designate Pablo Sandoval For Assignment
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, McCovey Chronicles, Over the Monster, Talking Chop and Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Bryce Harper homers twice, Nationals beat Reds 5-0 — CINCINNATI (AP) — Gio Gonzalez pitched four-hit ball into the ninth inning, and Bryce Harper extended his mid-July tear with a pair of homers on Friday night, leading the Washington Nationals to a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
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USA Today:
2017 MLB midseason awards: Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper leading MVP candidates — Aaron Judge isn't just halfway to a Rookie of the Year award - he's also the frontrunner to walk away with American League Most Valuable Player honors. — Judge topped USA TODAY Sports' AL MVP vote totals in our midseason award rankings.
Kevin Santo / USA Today:
Bold second-half predictions for all 30 MLB teams — The Major League Baseball season is unpredictable. — Before the first pitch of the second half of the season was thrown, the Chicago Cubs acquired ace Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox in a blockbuster deal.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Camden Chat and South Side Sox
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs see Jose Quintana trade as commitment from front office — BALTIMORE — Chicago Cubs players, as well as manager Joe Maddon, understand what the front office provided for them during the All-Star break and are committed to doing their part after a lackluster first half.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs open 2nd half with Ben Zobrist at leadoff, Kyle Schwarber as DH
Cubs open 2nd half with Ben Zobrist at leadoff, Kyle Schwarber as DH
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Michael Pineda Has Torn UCL; Tommy John Surgery Recommended — Yankees GM Brian Cashman announced devastating injury news to reporters today, revealing that Michael Pineda has been diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow (Twitter link via the YES Network's Jack Curry).
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Pinstripe Alley, DRaysBay, FanRag Sports, FanSided, Call to the Pen and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
ESPN:
Michael Pineda to get 2nd opinion on Tommy John surgery recommendation — The New York Yankees on Friday said Michael Pineda needs Tommy John surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament, but the pitcher will get a second opinion before opting to have the season-ending procedure.
Discussion:
The Comeback and MLB Trade Rumors
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox prospect Zack Burdi suffers UCL tear; likely to undergo Tommy John surgery
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Michael Pineda's Yankees career likely over with torn elbow
Michael Pineda's Yankees career likely over with torn elbow
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Sam Henken / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Royals interested in rental pitcher, possibly Jaime Garcia — After a slow start, the Kansas City Royals have put themselves right back in the middle of the American League playoff picture. With the trade deadline approaching, the Royals have a target in mind for the stretch run.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and FanRag Sports
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Alec McChesney / Kansas City Star:
Entering second half, Moustakas believes Royals belong in the postseason — On Friday night, the Kansas City Royals (44-43) returned from the All-Star break to host the Texas Rangers (43-45), and after a slow start, Kansas City has turned its season around, sitting just three games …
Cincinnati.com:
Zack Cozart open to extension with Reds, but time is running out — Before Tuesday's All-Star Game, Reds first baseman Joey Votto was asked about the future of fellow Reds All-Star Zack Cozart. Votto couldn't help but quote the movie “Jerry Maguire.” — “Show me the money!” Votto said, dramatically.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Mesoraco on shoulder injury: “This is nothing” — With the all-star break in the rearview mirror, it's time for second half of the MLB season to get underway. Here are the story lines that will shape the rest of the season. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Joe Ross will go to disabled list; Nats to call up relievers Trevor Gott, Austin Adams — The Nationals will add two new relievers to their troubled bullpen Friday in Cincinnati, though not quite in the way some hoped. Right-handers Trevor Gott and Austin Adams will be promoted to the big leagues Friday …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Washington Times and Federal Baseball
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer not worried about trade rumors — Right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer is not concerned about being traded by the Detroit Tigers. — It seems preposterous that the Tigers would consider dealing Fulmer, who is coming off his first All-Star experience and was the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year.
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Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Sandy Alderson doesn't see Mets calling up Tim Tebow this season — It's not Tim Tebow's time. — When asked Friday if there's any chance the Mets promote Tebow to the majors in September when rosters expand, Alderson said the idea “never crossed my mind until about 10 days ago when somebody said it was likely to happen.”
RELATED:
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Alderson and Harvey futures just a few questions facing Mets
Alderson and Harvey futures just a few questions facing Mets
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Purple Row and Amazin' Avenue
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Short journey for new White Sox prospect Eloy Jimenez after crosstown trade — Eloy Jimenez singles in the second inning during a spring training game against the Indians at Sloan Park on Feb. 26, 2017. — Chicago Tribune — Eloy Jimenez didn't have to travel far for his first game in the White Sox organization.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Theo Epstein on Cubs-White Sox trade: ‘Both teams demonstrated the priority is winning’
Theo Epstein on Cubs-White Sox trade: ‘Both teams demonstrated the priority is winning’
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Geoff Robinson / Detroit News:
Live blog: Tigers leave two men on base in 3rd — Bottom 3rd: Tigers 0, Blue Jays 0 — Alex Presley drew a leadoff walk from Aaron Sachez, and after Alex Avila struck out looking, Justin Upton delivered his second hit of the day with a single to left field that put two men on base for Miguel Cabrera.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Bless You Boys and Bluebird Banter
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Trade Market For Second Basemen — Second base is rarely a hot spot of trade deadline activity, but it seems even less likely to be an area of focus this time around. Few possible contenders have clear needs at the position, while those that could stand stand to upgrade — say …
FriarWire:
Padres Roster Moves, 7/14 — The Padres announced today that the following roster moves have been made: — Placed OF Hunter Renfroe on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to 7/10, with a strained neck. — Recalled OF Jabari Blash from Triple-A El Paso. — Placed RHP Kirby Yates on the paternity leave list.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and Gaslamp Ball
Scott Springer / Cincinnati.com:
MLB alumni help with clinic at Reds Urban Youth Academy — ROSELAWN - Though a stormy morning forced them inside, several young boys and girls were treated to an opportunity to learn basic baseball fundamentals in the Reds plush P&G Cincinnati MLB Urban Youth Academy July 13.