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
Discussion:
SBNation.com
RELATED:
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
Ryan Fagan / Sporting News:
MLB trade rumors: Sonny Gray could help these contenders if A's make a deal
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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
RELATED:
Jeff Wallner / UPI:
Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper help Washington Nationals complete sweep of Cincinnati Reds
ESPN:
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman hits homer No. 235 to top franchise list
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and Forbes
Alex Butler / UPI:
Cincinnati Reds OF Billy Hamilton helps man propose to girlfriend
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Federal Baseball and Red Reporter
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Gallo's return can't spark Rangers in 3-1 loss — BALTIMORE — Able to run at full speed, and with that trademark warehouse at Camden Yards in plain sight and certainly within reach, Joey Gallo returned to the starting lineup Monday. — That's right: The slugger who was so sure …
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' Diekman inching closer to first bullpen session
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Alex Tekip / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Athletics scout watched Yankees' minor league game? — A trade between the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics could be a potential possibility as the July 31 trade deadline nears. — Citing sources, Fox Sports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that a top scout of the Athletics …
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Michael Pineda will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Daily Dish
Post Sports Desk / New York Post:
Another Greg Bird lost year is likely done
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
UPI:
MLB: Philadelphia Phillies 2B Cesar Hernandez returns, OF Aaron Altherr goes on DL — The Philadelphia Phillies activated second baseman Cesar Hernandez from the disabled list on Monday and placed outfielder Aaron Altherr on the 10-day DL with a strained right hamstring.
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
UPI:
Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez activated from DL in advance of start — The Boston Red Sox activated left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his start Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. — Rodriguez, 24, returned from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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
RELATED:
Mark SimonESPN / ESPN:
Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey look ‘free and easy’ as they begin throwing programs
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, FanRag Sports and Amazin' Avenue
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
J.D. Martinez still a Tiger, left game due to lower back tightness — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Detroit Tigers rightfielder J.D. Martinez was taken out of the game in the sixth inning tonight and replaced by Alex Presley, fueling speculation that Martinez had been traded.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Why lefty closer Justin Wilson is Detroit Tigers' biggest trade bait
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
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.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
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 and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies fall to Marlins in 10 innings — MIAMI — The Phillies and Marlins are stuck in the realm of irrelevant baseball. Almost 20 percent of their remaining games will be played against one another. They are more than opponents; reportedly, they are the subjects of fantastical trade rumors …
Associated Press:
Houston All-Star Carlos Correa leaves game with thumb injury — HOUSTON (AP) — All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa has left a game against the Seattle Mariners with a jammed left thumb. — Correa was pulled Monday after swinging and missing at a pitch in the fourth inning.
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.
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar exits game after getting hit in the wrist — Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar left Monday night's game in the bottom of the seventh inning after being hit in the left wrist by Detroit starter Jordan Zimmerman. — The pitch was clocked on the stadium radar gun at 90 mph.
