Top News:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Column Bryce Harper brings more than passion to the game; making baseball fun is beyond a slogan — Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper slides to catch a fly ball in a game against Baltimore earlier this season. (Nick Wass / Associated Press) — There was no greater story line …
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Alex Butler / UPI:
Cincinnati Reds opening ballpark to donkeys, need help naming Zack Cozart's
Cincinnati Reds opening ballpark to donkeys, need help naming Zack Cozart's
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pablo Sandoval Interested In Reunion With Giants — There's at least some possibility the Red Sox' recent decision to designate Pablo Sandoval for assignment could result in the veteran heading back to San Francisco, FanRag's Jon Heyman writes. Sources close to Sandoval indicate …
Discussion:
Mercury News, McCovey Chronicles and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Anthony Gulizia / ESPN:
Chris Sale over Pedro Martinez? Lefty has been so good, even Petey's impressed
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Sandoval-Giants reunion not out of the question
Sandoval-Giants reunion not out of the question
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Yankees at a loss to figure out what's wrong with Aroldis Chapman — BOSTON - What's wrong with Aroldis Chapman? — That was the $86 million question engulfing the Yankees after the former All-Star closer's latest meltdown led to a crushing 5-4 giveaway loss to the Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park.
RELATED:
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Despite Michael Pineda's injury and struggling bullpen, Brian Cashman isn't looking to overpay at deadline
Despite Michael Pineda's injury and struggling bullpen, Brian Cashman isn't looking to overpay at deadline
Discussion:
FanSided
Gethin Coolbaugh / UPI:
Boston Red Sox clip New York Yankees with 2 runs in 9th
Boston Red Sox clip New York Yankees with 2 runs in 9th
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Over the Monster
Sam Henken / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Diamondbacks interested in J.D. Martinez — The Arizona Diamondbacks will likely look to add a bat before the July 31 trade deadline, and one target has already emerged. — MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that the Diamondbacks have shown interest in Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Yankees' Starlin Castro returns from hamstring injury — The New York Yankees activated All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro from the 10-day disabled list before Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. — Castro has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since June 26.
RELATED:
Gethin Coolbaugh / UPI:
MLB: Chris Sale, Luis Severino square off as Boston Red Sox continue series vs. New York Yankees
Todd ZolaFantasy / ESPN:
Daily fantasy baseball cheat sheet for Saturday
Martin Gallegos / The Charlotte Observer:
Sonny shines for A's in 5-0 whitewash of Indians — OAKLAND, Calif. - Before Sonny Gray's scheduled start on Friday against the Cleveland Indians, reports of him being scratched due to an imminent trade surfaced on Twitter. It turned out to be an internet hoax, but his performance on the mound was no joke.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Cano powers Mariners to 4-2 win over White Sox (Jul 14, 2017) — CHICAGO (AP) Robinson Cano hit a three-run drive on his first swing since connecting for the winning homer in the All-Star Game, helping James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Friday night.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox shake up lineup Saturday vs. Mariners — Chicago Tribune — Losers of five of six and 13 of 20, the White Sox will shake up their lineup for Saturday's game (6:10 p.m., WGN-9) against the Mariners. The White Sox (38-50) are a season-high 12 games under .500.
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Acquire Yeyson Yrizarri From Rangers For International Bonus Slot — The Rangers have announced that they've traded minor-league infielder Yeyson Yrizarri to the White Sox for an international bonus slot. The move gives the Rangers additional flexibility to sign international amateur talent.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
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 …
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers Reaction: Beltre, Napoli make sure second half starts happy
Rangers Reaction: Beltre, Napoli make sure second half starts happy
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli power Rangers over Royals
Sam Henken / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Mets planning to sell, barring sudden improvement — New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is being realistic about the team going into the trade deadline. — Alderson says the Mets will plan to sell going into the deadline unless the team performs “exceedingly well,” according to Newsday's Marc Carig.
Discussion:
Newsday
RELATED:
Zach Braziller / New York Post:
What Mets hitting pause means for Jacob deGrom's future
What Mets hitting pause means for Jacob deGrom's future
Discussion:
Sporting News
Fox Sports:
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 …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
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 …
RELATED:
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Sign Jeanmar Gomez — The Brewers have announced that they've signed righty reliever Jeanmar Gomez, presumably to a minor-league deal. (They also announced that they've signed righty and former Rockies farmhand Alec Kenilvort and released righty Stephen Kohlscheen.) Gomez is a client of Magnus Sports.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Daily Dish
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Three up, three down | Talk of Brad Hand as a Dodger; Giants are beyond help — Padres reliever Brad Hand has a 2.30 earned-run average in 42 appearances over 47 innings this season. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) — A look at what's trending in Major League Baseball this week: — THREE UP
Alex Butler / UPI:
Pittsburgh Pirates fan throws home run ball into river … A Pittsburgh Pirates fan took out his frustration by throwing a home run ball into the Allegheny River Friday at PNC Park. — The Pirates have won six of its last seven games now, after beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 Friday in the home contest.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Ben Zobrist, Kyle Schwarber to rest vs. Orioles left-hander Wade Miley — Cubs manager Joe Maddon on the 9-8 win over the Orioles on Friday, July 14, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Despite hitting home runs and accounting for three of the Cubs' nine runs Friday …