Rays visit Yankees with Duda in tow (Jul 28, 2017)  —  NEW YORK — In recent seasons, the Tampa Bay Rays were not good enough to consider themselves buyers at the frenzy known as the non-waiver trade deadline.  —  This year is different.  —  After adding left-handed reliever Dan Jennings …

Martinez's grand slam lifts Diamondbacks past Cardinals 4-0  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Arizona outfielder J.D. Martinez is beginning to endear himself to the Diamondbacks' fan base.  —  Martinez hit a grand slam and Zack Godley pitched seven innings as the Diamondbacks beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 on Thursday night.

Jose Quintana excited about facing Brewers in playoff-like atmosphere  —  Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana reacts to the video tribute in his honor during Wednesday's game at Guaranteed Rate Field and discusses the White Sox's rebuild on Thursday, July 27, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

When Adrian Beltre hits No. 3,000, his teammates will hunt for his head  —  It's a question not of if Adrian Beltre will reach 3,000 hits but of whether his Rangers teammates will smack him upside the head when he does.  —  If you're just tuning in, 20 seasons and 2,996 hits into what's sure …

Trade clock ticking for Lynn, Cardinals  —  The Cardinals remain in the process of generating a market and offers for starting pitcher Lance Lynn, even as his Sunday start and Monday's trade deadline nears.  —  With numerous teams interested in Oakland starter Sonny Gray …

Nationals hit 8 HRs to blast Brewers 15-2 (Jul 27, 2017)  —  WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals staged their own version of the Home Run Derby, with Michael Blazek serving as the unwilling batting practice pitcher.  —  Washington tied a franchise record with eight homers and matched …

MLB: Different eras to come together at Hall of Fame induction  —  There will be plenty of reminders, even some imperfect ones, of baseball's ability to connect different eras on Sunday afternoon, when a quintet of men — former players Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez …

Contending teams thrive off MLB trade deadline deals  —  ST. LOUIS — The sound of the showers hitting the tile floor in the Colorado Rockies' visiting clubhouse at Busch Stadium was deafening.  —  The Rockies, one of baseball's most surprising teams with their kiddie corps rotation …

Grooming at ballpark becoming trend for baseball players  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kevin Quackenbush's full beard needed a little attention considering he had gone since spring training in February without a trim.  —  Mark McGwire decided on the fly to get his hair cut upon arriving to work …

Toronto Blue Jays star Marcus Stroman charges ump, gets ejected … Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, manager John Gibbons and catcher Russell Martin were all ejected Thursday at the Rogers Centre.  —  Stroman was tossing in the fifth inning of the Blue Jays' 8-4 win when things finally reached …

Final Fact or Fiction on All of MLB's Hottest Pre-Deadline Buzz, Rumors  —  Who's ready for some MLB blockbusters?  —  One major chip fell on the starting pitching market when Jose Quintana was dealt to the Chicago Cubs earlier in July, but plenty of intriguing arms are still readily available …

Looking For A Match In A Yonder Alonso Trade  —  Yonder Alonso turned himself from non-tender candidate last winter to the Athletics' representative at the All-Star Game two weeks ago.  Thanks in large part to an offseason swing change aimed to deliver more fly balls, Alonso is enjoying by far the best of his eight big league seasons.

Pitcher Tom Eshelman will remain on the disabled list for the IronPigs  —  Lehigh Valley IronPigs righthander Tom Eshelman threw a side session on Tuesday but felt discomfort as he battles back from a strained right hip flexor.  Lehigh Valley manager Dusty Wathem said Eshelman will remain on the disabled list and skip his next start.

MLB: Derek Dietrich's 3 RBIs lead Miami Marlins over Cincinnati Reds  —  MIAMI — Derek Dietrich hit a solo homer and drove in three runs, and rookie left-hander Chris O'Grady pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Miami Marlins to a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night at Marlins Park.

Dodgers call up catcher Kyle Farmer  —  Catcher Kyle Farmer, left, warms up with other Dodgers players at the start of spring training on Feb. 22.  Farmer has been called up from triple A.  (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)  —  This has been quite a year for Alex Wood.

Cubs offense is starting to perk up, meet manager Joe Maddon's standards  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon weighs in on players scoreboard watching on Thursday, July 27, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Manager Joe Maddon is fond of praising his Cubs offense for adding “jug” runs late in games.