Red Sox in recent contact with Orioles about possible Machado trade  —  In the wake of reports that the New York Yankees have renewed their interest in shortstop Manny Machado, two industry sources indicated Tuesday that the Boston Red Sox also have been in recent contact with the Orioles.

Rays face Tigers, using unconventional methods to win  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are using pitchers in unconventional ways, but it continues to spark their success, and they'll try to find enough live arms to continue that Tuesday in another “bullpen day” against the Detroit Tigers.

At 105 mph, Jordan Hicks is MLB's hardest thrower.  What does that mean for his future?  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Five years ago at age 16, Jordan Hicks participated in a youth tournament in Atlanta and attended a Braves game, where he was blown away by the sight of then-Cincinnati Reds reliever …

Kershaw dominates Padres in Dodgers' 8-2 win  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is feeling fit again and that's a bad sign for the Los Angeles Dodgers' rivals heading into the season's second half.  —  The left-hander pitched six scoreless innings, and Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner each …

Games of the Day  —  An usual game at Citi Field as the Phillies and Mets starters both make their major league debut.  Enyel De Los Santos visits Drew Gagnon.  De Los Santos is just 22, and is 9-3 in his first year at AAA with 1.89 ERA.  Through his minor league career he owns good strikout and walk numbers.

Surging A's will keep Mariners on their toes in hunt for playoff spot  —  Be afraid, Seattle Mariners fans, be very afraid.  The Oakland Athletics are sizzling hot, having won 17 of 21 after shutting out the Astros 2-0 on Monday, and are only six games back for the second wild card.

How Scooter Gennett transformed from a Cincinnati Reds waiver claim into an All-Star  —  CLEVELAND - There was never any doubt in Scooter Gennett's mind that he could become a solid hitter at the Major League level.  —  The biggest problem throughout his career was finding a regular spot in the starting lineup.

The one player all 30 teams should trade before the deadline  —  The trade deadline is heating up ... well, the rumors are anyway.  Manny Machado to the Yankees!  Scooter Gennett to the Dodgers!  J.T. Realmuto to the Red Sox!  Maybe all these blockbusters will happen, and even if they don't, hey, it's fun to speculate.

Buffalo next stop for Blue Jays top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  —  ATLANTA — As he finishes his recovery from a minor knee injury, top Blue Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. appears headed closer to Toronto than ever.  —  According to sources, team management is planning for triple …

Why July games should matter to Cleveland Indians fans  —  There are plenty of reasons why these mid-July games matter to the Cleveland Indians' fans.  —  CLEVELAND — Following the Cleveland Indians' 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the first of a three-game series at Progressive Field Monday …

Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray searching for last year's form  —  DENVER - During a bullpen session in the sizzling heat at Coors Field, the pitcher who might be the most important to the Diamondbacks' success believes he might have rediscovered his delivery.  —  Left-hander Robbie Ray's dominance …

Giants provide timetable for Joe Panik's injury absence  —  SAN FRANCISCO-Injuries have robbed the Giants of several key contributors throughout the season, but Joe Panik is the first position player to be sent to the disabled list for two separate ailments.

Next Slide  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Detroit Tigers' inexperience was evident on Monday night, from Nicholas Castellanos taking his eye off the baseball underneath a dome to Ronny Rodriguez not playing in close enough at third base against Carlos Gomez.

Mariners place Felix Hernandez on the 10-day disabled list  —  The hope is to use the all-star break to help Hernandez get his ailing back healthy.  —  ANAHEIM — Felix Hernandez won't make another start until after the All-Star break.  The Mariners' erstwhile ace has been dealing with lower …

Next Slide  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It was like the first day of school.  —  Daniel Norris entered the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse at Tropicana Field on Monday and made the rounds.  He hugged position players around a table.  He said hello to his pitching mates whom he hadn't seen since late April.

MLB hitters explain why they can't just beat the shift  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  From Trout and Betts to Lindor and Judge, it's clear where MLB's superstars are, but the National League is finally ruling interleague play.  —  While the team holding this July's biggest trade chip decides …