Top News:
Bob Nightengale / Tallahassee Democrat:
MLB trade deadline: Likely destinations for all the top stars on the block — 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
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SBNation.com
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Kevin Santo / USA Today:
The Dodgers' historic hot streak: How their 29-4 run came together — Los Angeles has a lot to smile about. The Dodgers are not just the hottest team in baseball but on a breakneck pace that could put the 2017 club among the greatest in their rich franchise history.
Discussion:
Associated Press and CBS Miami
Associated Press:
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.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Miguel Gonzalez eager to return to White Sox rotation after injury — White Sox starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez is looking forward to returning to the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Chicago Tribune — Miguel Gonzalez almost ruined the surprise.
Adam Kilgore / Chicago Tribune:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have become baseball's version of the Golden State Warriors
Ryan Fagan / Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Sonny Gray could help these contenders if A's make a deal
MLB trade rumors: Sonny Gray could help these contenders if A's make a deal
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Jeff Wallner / UPI:
Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper help Washington Nationals complete sweep of Cincinnati Reds — CINCINNATI — Stephen Strasburg traditionally hasn't fared well in hot weather, so much so that trainers have developed a hydration process for the Washington Nationals right-hander.
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Joe Kay / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Zimmerman sets franchise HR record, Nationals beat Reds 6-1 … CINCINNATI (AP) — The NL East leaders opened the second half of the season with a franchise record, a series sweep and a significant upgrade — exactly how the Nationals wanted to keep their momentum going.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Athletics Nation and Federal Baseball
Alex Butler / UPI:
Cincinnati Reds OF Billy Hamilton helps man propose to girlfriend
Cincinnati Reds OF Billy Hamilton helps man propose to girlfriend
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Federal Baseball and Red Reporter
ESPN:
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman hits homer No. 235 to top franchise list
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman hits homer No. 235 to top franchise list
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and Forbes
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Nationals' Ryan Raburn: I was surprised Reds released me
Detroit News:
Mensching: Tigers must keep Fulmer, try to deal JV — So, what's one MVP award, one Cy Young Award, and two Cy Young runner-up finishes get you these days? A pat on the back, old man. A pat on the back. — In a vacuum Justin Verlander seems like he should be one of the hottest commodities …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Bless You Boys, MLB Trade Rumors and MLive.com
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Why lefty closer Justin Wilson is Detroit Tigers' biggest trade bait
Why lefty closer Justin Wilson is Detroit Tigers' biggest trade bait
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Discussing Justin Wilson, Tony Watson
Rays Discussing Justin Wilson, Tony Watson
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish, Bucs Dugout and Pirates Breakdown
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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Post Sports Desk / New York Post:
Another Greg Bird lost year is likely done
Another Greg Bird lost year is likely done
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Fox Sports:
Red Sox manager Farrell says protest denied on play vs Yanks — BOSTON (AP) Red Sox manager John Farrell says Major League Baseball has denied Boston's protest over a bizarre play on the bases last weekend involving Matt Holliday of the New York Yankees. — Farrell said he wasn't surprised …
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ESPN:
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 …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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Mark SimonESPN / ESPN:
Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey look ‘free and easy’ as they begin throwing programs
Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey look ‘free and easy’ as they begin throwing programs
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, FanRag Sports and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Braves activate Sean Rodriguez, Danny Santana from DL — ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have activated utility players Sean Rodriguez and Danny Santana from the disabled list. — Right-hander Jason Hursh and infielder Jace Peterson were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
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ESPN:
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 …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs insist minor-league cupboard isn't bare after Jose Quintana trade — With prospects like pitcher Adbert Alzolay still in their farm system, the Cubs believe they still have plenty of talent after the deal to acquire Jose Quintana. — Chicago Tribune
Josh Tolentino / Kansas City Star:
Travis Wood, who hasn't pitched since July 2, will start for Royals on Tuesday — Royals pitcher Travis Wood hopes he isn't limited by a pitch count when he makes his second start of the season on Tuesday against Detroit. — He even said he could go all nine innings, if needed.
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
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 …
Discussion:
Royals Review
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Clint Frazier batting second for Yankees in opener vs. Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — Clint Frazier looked at the bottom of Monday's Yankees-Twins lineup to see if he was in it. — His name wasn't there. — It was higher. — Second. — “I texted my parents and my agent,” Frazier said.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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 …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter