Rodriguez's return restores Red Sox rotation to full strength  —  BOSTON — Two days before the All-Star break began and again the day after it ended, Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski killed the buzz of armchair general managers throughout New England by announcing …

Tigers, Royals open four-game series (Jul 17, 2017)  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A losing streak temporarily doused Kansas City's postseason aspirations and dropped the Royals one game below .500.  —  However, all is sunny for the Royals as they prepare for a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers that begins Monday.

Olney: Players who will be traded before the deadline  —  Justin Verlander has been mentioned in trade talks, and it's possible that market moons and stars will align and the future Hall of Famer switches teams.  But any Verlander deal would be incredibly complicated for the Tigers to pull off …

A 125-win pace?  Dodgers believe surge is sustainable  —  MIAMI (AP) — Clayton Kershaw's notion that the past five extraordinary weeks are the new norm for the Los Angeles Dodgers seems to be taking hold.  —  Going into the All-Star break, Kershaw suggested the Dodgers' surge might not be a surge at all, but a sustainable pace.

Cincinnati Reds recap: Washington Nationals complete sweep with 6-1 win  —  The Washington Nationals are going, going, gone from Great American Ball Park, hitting three more home runs in Monday's 6-1 victory over the Reds to complete the series sweep.  Washington outscored the Reds 61-26 in seven games.

Sierra goes for 10 straight against Mets  —  NEW YORK  • Magneuris Sierra, whose record nine-game hitting streak at the start of his Cardinals career has lasted since early May, is back in the lineup Monday night as the Cardinals play the first of four games here against the Mets.

Rumor Central: Plenty of interest in Padres relievers?  —  The San Diego Padres rank 24th in the major leagues with a bullpen ERA of 4.49.  Don't tell that to general manager A.J. Preller, who says there is plenty of trade interest in his relievers.  —  Preller tells AJ Cassavell of MLB.com that …

Astros look to improve with Mariners up next (Jul 17, 2017)  —  HOUSTON — For all their offensive might, the Houston Astros remain a team capable of improvement in terms of manufacturing runs.  —  The Astros (62-30) showcased a glimpse of that underutilized aspect of their offense …

Royals demote Jorge Soler to Omaha, recall Billy Burns to fill roster spot  —  Jorge Soler's turbulent first season with the Royals has continued with another demotion to the minor leagues.  —  The Royals sent Soler, a 25-year-old outfielder, back to Class AAA Omaha on Monday afternoon …

Mets should let a Jacob deGrom trade offer blow them away  —  MORE FROM: … You own a house.  You love the house.  It is the keeper, the one you bought with the plan to raise a family there.  —  But you also paid attention in Economics 101 the day the professor mentioned that when supply is low and demand is high, prices soar.

Blue Jays Designate Lucas Harrell For Assignment  —  The Blue Jays announced that they've recalled right-hander Dominic Leone from Triple-A Buffalo and designated fellow righty Lucas Harrell for assignment in order to clear a spot on the roster.  —  Signed to a minor league pact this offseason …

With roles scrambled, Cards' bullpen blows another game in 9th  —  PITTSBURGH  • The trouble with the bullpen roulette the Cardinals are spinning these days is that if any reliever could be used in any role, then there really are no roles at all.  —  In the past week …

Rumor Central: A's not looking to deal Blake Treinen?  —  The Oakland Athletics are not looking to flip Blake Treinen after acquiring the veteran reliever in Sunday's deal with the Washington Nationals.  —  A's executive vice president Billy Beane told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle …

Braves activate infielder Sean Rodriguez 5 months after surgery  —  The Atlanta Braves activated utilityman Sean Rodriguez from the disabled list on Tuesday, five months after undergoing shoulder surgery that was seen at the time as potentially season-ending.

Trade buzz heating up in Miami, Detroit and Chicago  —  Even when you're a fan of one specific major league baseball team, it can be difficult to keep track of all of the news that surrounds your favorite club on a daily basis.  —  However, when you're a fantasy baseball owner …

Yankees' Michael Pineda will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Pineda's career in pinstripes may be over as the righthander will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday in Cincinnati, the Yankees announced on Monday afternoon.  —  Pineda received the initial recommendation …

Phils activate Cesar Hernandez, put Aaron Altherr on DL  —  The Philadelphia Phillies activated second baseman Cesar Hernandez from the disabled list on Tuesday and placed outfielder Aaron Altherr on the 10-day DL with a strained right hamstring.  —  Hernandez last played on June 9 …