Reds' Votto, Gennett have no problem with Padres lefty  —  Thursday in the seventh inning, the San Diego Padres changed pitchers in the middle of Joey Votto's plate appearance.  For the Cincinnati Reds first baseman, it brought a flashback to an at-bat from rookie ball.

Brad Ausmus: Detroit Tigers to use Joe Jimenez in ‘softer situations’  —  The Detroit Tigers were trailing by three runs Thursday when manager Brad Ausmus opted to use 31-year-old journeyman Edward Mujica rather than prospect Joe Jimenez.  —  Mujica gave up a home run to Josh Bell …

Sandy Alderson says Jay Bruce trade was not about ‘saving money’ or slighting Yankees  —  PHILADELPHIA — After shipping Jay Bruce to the Indians Wednesday night, slighting an offer made by the Yankees, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said that the motivation was not pinching pennies or playing spoiler to the Yankees.

LEADING OFF: Garcia joins Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, Votto run  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors Friday:  —  RIVALRY ROOKIE  —  Left-hander Jaime Garcia gets his first close-up look at the Yankees-Red Sox craziness when he takes on Boston in the Bronx.

rallykitty: St. Louis Cardinals credit stray cat as they claw past Royals 8-5  —  ST. LOUIS — After the St. Louis Cardinals' latest win Wednesday, Mike Matheny said he's not a cat person.  —  “But I liked that one,” he said of the kitten that ran on the field just before Yadier Molina sank his claws into the Kansas City Royals.

Girardi says ‘good possibility’ Montgomery starts Sunday  —  TORONTO (AP) Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday there's “a really good possibility” that rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery will be recalled from Triple-A to start against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night.

Dodgers win 80th game of season, rallying over Diamondbacks  —  Hitless in 23 previous at-bats, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson faced Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke with two outs in the seventh inning and a man on second base.  —  Pederson, who'd struck out in his first two at-bats …

Jacob deGrom leaves Mets game after getting hit in arm with line drive  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jacob deGrom left the game in the seventh inning after taking a line drive off his pitching arm.  The Mets right hander had thrown 6.2 scoreless innings when Nick Williams' 99-mile an hour line drive hit …

Carlos Rodon on mound as White Sox seek sweep of Astros  —  White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez discusses his outing in the team's 7-1 win over the Astros on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017.  (Chris Kuc/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox will send Carlos Rodon to the mound …

Heyman's Latest: Yanks, Mets, Darvish, Astros, Twins, Bucs  —  The Yankees showed interest in Mets second baseman Neil Walker before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, according to FanRag's Jon Heyman.  The crosstown rivals actually had a deal for Walker in place, tweets Mike Puma of Newsday …

After two games, Royals' Alex Gordon returns to the lineup  —  Alex Gordon's season reset lasted a total of two days.  —  Gordon, who was benched on Tuesday in the midst of a prolonged slump, returned to the lineup on Thursday, starting in left field on the final night of a four-game home-and-home series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Royals will play Class AAA affiliate to end spring schedule in 2018  —  If the schedule-makers are kind to the Royals, they'll have a short trip home to start the 2018 season.  —  The Royals announced on Thursday that they will play a game at the home of their Class AAA affiliate …

Rangers still have narrow path to playoffs, but strong finish required  —  If the Texas Rangers are going to make a run it needs to start already.  —  The club has been treading water the entire season.  Even a 10-game win streak in May did little to alter their course.

Rangers Claim Jhan Marinez  —  The Rangers have claimed righty Jhan Marinez off waivers from the Pirates, per an announcement from Texas.  Marinez had been designated for assignment over the weekend.  —  Marinez, 28, already moved from the Brewers to the Bucs this year after a previous trip through DFA limbo.