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.

Montgomery homers as Cubs beat Braves 8-2 for 6th straight (Jul 19, 2017)  —  ATLANTA (AP) Mike Montgomery hit his first home run and allowed two hits and one run in six innings to lead the streaking Chicago Cubs to an 8-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

JaCoby Jones passed over for Jim Adduci to fill Detroit Tigers OF void … KANSAS CITY, Mo. - JaCoby Jones was not considered for a promotion following the trade of J.D. Martinez.  —  The Detroit Tigers opted instead to recall Jim Adduci from Triple-A Toledo.

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 …

Mets raise lead to 7-0 in second  —  NEW YORK  • The second inning was no better than the first for Mike Leake and the Cardinals, who fell behind 7-0, after a four-run New York Mets burst Wednesday night.  —  With the Mets already ahead 3-, Michael Conforto singled …

Angels put stolen base leader Cameron Maybin on DL with MCL sprain  —  The Los Angeles Angels have officially placed AL stolen base leader Cameron Maybin on the 10-day disabled list with an MCL sprain in his right knee and recalled right-hander Alex Meyer from Triple-A Salt Lake.

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) …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Posey's pinch hit powers Giants past Indians 5-4 … Buster Posey pinch hit a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning as the  —  Cleveland Indians 5-4 on Wednesday.  —  Posey, on a scheduled rest day, doubled off the wall on a 3-2 slider on the seventh offering from Indians reliever Bryan Shaw (2-4).

Report: Rangers interested in trading catcher Jonathan Lucroy  —  The Texas Rangers could be looking to trade catcher Jonathan Lucroy, according to a report from ESPN Wednesday afternoon.  —  According to EPSN and MLB.com the Rangers are interested in acquiring bullpen help or a young starting pitcher for Lucroy.