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.

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 …

Trade clock clicking as Cardinals play all angles, shopping and selling  —  The Cardinals remain in the process of generating a market and offers for starting pitcher Lance Lynn, even as they remain engaged in conversations that could bring in the bat they've been eyeing.

David Price possible to skip start due to recurrence of elbow ailment  —  Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price underwent an MRI on his pitching elbow Thursday and could miss his scheduled Friday start, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney.  —  Price is experiencing similar tightness in his elbow …

New faces trying to bond in the White Sox bullpen  —  White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer on his Major League Baseball debut during a game against the Cubs on Thursday, July 27, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The banter in the Chicago White Sox bullpen has taken …

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 …

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 …

BAR: Reds have struggled to develop starters  —  Cincinnati Reds RHP Robert Stephenson on walking seven vs. Miami Marlins … It's Friday and that means it's mailbag time.  So let's get to it.  —  From Pat: … Well, it's hard to argue.  They've done a pretty good job on relievers, but starters?

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 …

Landlord sues Francisco Rodriguez over home damage, missing artwork  —  A Bloomfield Township landlord is suing former Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez for $80,000, claiming he damaged a home and kept furnishings, including walking off with a wall tapestry valued at more than $10,000.

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 …

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.

Reports: Marlins 3B Martin Prado to have knee surgery  —  Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado will have surgery on his knee, according to multiple reports.  —  Prado was placed on the 10-day disabled list on July 18 with a right knee sprain.  —  This season, Prado is batting .250 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 37 games.

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 …