With seven-player trade, the Yankees are starting to look like the Yankees again  —  The Washington Post  —  This was to be a transitional year for the New York Yankees, one that would bridge the divide between the bloated also-ran they had become and the future juggernaut they hoped to build.

Chicago Cubs top Atlanta Braves, extend winning streak to five games  —  ATLANTA — The Chicago Cubs continued their second-half surge, and catcher Willson Contreras was once again right in the middle of it.  —  The Cubs struck a pair of home runs, the big blow being a three-run shot from Contreras …

Phillies total season-high 20 hits, beat Marlins  —  MIAMI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies began slowly this season and then got worse, which made their fast start on Wednesday a surprise.  —  First pitch was at 12:10 p.m. and the Phillies were ready, scoring twice in the first inning …

Twins' Bartolo Colon thinking about retirement  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins pitcher Bartolo Colon is considering retirement, and he said his next start against the Los Angeles Dodgers could be a determining factor in making a decision.  —  The veteran pitcher revealed to ESPN …

Red Sox release 3B Pablo Sandoval  —  BOSTON (AP) The Red Sox have officially released Pablo Sandoval because the third baseman didn't report after being designated for assignment last week.  —  The team announced the move Wednesday.  —  It officially ends the Boston tenure …

Arenado has 3 homers, ties career-high with 7 RBIs  —  DENVER (AP) Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has three homers and tied a career-high with seven RBIs on a scorching day against the San Diego Padres.  —  After two RBI singles to start the game Wednesday …

Paxton, Gamel power Mariners to 4-1 win over Astros (Jul 19, 2017)  —  HOUSTON (AP) James Paxton had another strong start against Houston and rookie Ben Gamel powered the offense with a two-run homer to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-1 win over the Astros on Wednesday.

As MLB trade deadline nears, will Sonny Gray be worth high price to get him?  —  OAKLAND - The scouts in attendance at Sonny Gray's starts have obviously noticed his improved effectiveness as the trade deadline approaches, how much crisper his pitches have been.

Nick Senzel, Hunter Greene atop Baseball America's Reds top 10 rankings  —  Nick Senzel is still the Reds' top prospect, while Hunter Greene is No. 2, according to Baseball America's Midseason Top 10 Prospects list released Wednesday.  —  Baseball America's J.J. Cooper writes “(t) …

Winning, not 3,000th hit, is Beltre's top priority  —  BALTIMORE  —  The countdown to 3,000 hits has been on since the season starts, but not necessarily for Adrian Beltre.  —  The Texas Rangers third baseman entered Wednesday 18 hits shy of the magical number, one that almost guarantees enshrinement …

Braves Telling Teams They Will Likely Keep Matt Adams  —  The Braves are informing rival organizations that they expect to hold onto first baseman Matt Adams through the trade deadline, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports on Twitter.  —  Adams has generally been viewed as a plausible trade chip …

Bryce Harper goes 4-for-4, outduels Mike Trout in Nationals win over Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bryce Harper hit a long, impressive homer over Mike Trout's head the first inning.  A few minutes later, Trout hit a homer of similar length and impressiveness.

MLB execs: Get ready for a trade-deadline dash  —  During the runup to Major League Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, a central theme invariably emerges.  In 2016, the media hyperventilated over the fate of three difference-making relievers — Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Mark Melancon.

Royals' Hammel hopes to put heat on Tigers (Jul 19, 2017)  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The forecast calls for 90-plus degrees with the heat index a few degrees hotter when Kansas City Royals right-hander Jason Hammel throws his first pitch against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Rumor Central: Rangers showcasing Jonathan Lucroy?  —  The Texas Rangers are giving interested teams a good, long look at Jonathan Lucroy.  —  Lucroy has started four straight games behind the plate for the first time since April, and the extended playing time is a way to showcase the veteran catcher, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

MLBTR Poll: Best Rental Starter  —  Let's get this out of the way: Yu Darvish will be the best rental arm available, if he is marketed.  But all indications are the Rangers won't do that, barring a total collapse over the next ten days.  —  Assuming that Darvish isn't within reach …