Pitching at premium before trade deadline; Who might move?  —  Teams always seek more pitching before the trade deadline.  —  Whether its aces, closers, back-of-the rotation starters or middle relievers, new arms are welcome in every clubhouse.  —  Of the 10 teams sitting in postseason spots …

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 …

Sanchez pitches 6 strong innings as Jays beat Tigers 7-2 (Jul 14, 2017)  —  DETROIT (AP) Aaron Sanchez pitched six strong innings for his first win of the season as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 7-2 on Friday night.  —  Steve Pearce and Jose Bautista homered for the Blue Jays …

Rangers content to let club contend for wild card berth  —  KANSAS CITY, MO.  —  The Texas Rangers have been here before.  Under .500 as the season's second half begins but somehow brimming with confidence.  —  General manager Jon Daniels, on the road with the team at Kaufman Stadium …

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.

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.

Freeman, Braves rally in 8th to beat Diamondbacks 4-3  —  ATLANTA (AP) - The Arizona Diamondbacks had their comeback mojo working.  —  The Braves had Freddie Freeman, who has been as productive as ever since missing 44 games with a fractured wrist.  —  Freeman homered and had the decisive …

Gray, A's bullpen combine to shut out Indians 5-0  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — With his phone buzzing nonstop after rumors circulated that he'd been scratched from his scheduled start, Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray did the only thing he could to shut out the noise: He stashed the device away.

Brad Hand continuing to draw interest, but no deal imminent  —  Early last June, the Padres made the opening move of the 2016 trade season, shipping James Shields to the White Sox in a pre-draft exchange.  It wound up being the first of six deals before the non-waiver deadline …

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.”

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.

White Sox prospect Zack Burdi suffers UCL tear; likely to undergo Tommy John surgery  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses pitcher Zack Burdi's development in spring training on Feb. 21, 2017, at Camelback Ranch.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

How the ‘Big A’ helped inspire Jake Faria's big league dream, and first kiss  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jake Faria had never been on the field at Angel Stadium before Friday's game, and the Rays rookie right-hander could not have felt more at home.  —  The “Big A” has a big place in Faria's life.

Russell's 9th-Inning Homer Lifts Cubs Past Orioles 9-8  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Addison Russell hit a go-ahead solo home run in the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-8 after squandering an eight-run lead on Friday night.  —  Mark Trumbo tied the game 8-8 …