Trade chatter: A Machado alternative, an intriguing starter and more  —  One of the more intriguing elements to the Manny Machado trade discussions — beyond the question of Machado's destination — is the Baltimore Orioles' approach to fielding offers for the four-time All-Star.

Cleveland Indians allow 7 in 9th, lose to Cincinnati Reds 7-4 after Trevor Bauer's gem  —  The loss spoiled a brilliant outing by Trevor Bauer, who struck out 12 during eight scoreless innings.  —  CLEVELAND (AP) - Joey Votto hit a go-ahead three-run double during a seven-run ninth inning …

Which players could the Cubs target at the trade deadline?  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago Cubs have made a habit of making July trades under Theo Epstein, including acquisitions such as Jake Arrieta (2013), Addison Russell (2014), Aroldis Chapman (2016) and Jose Quintana (2017).

Javier Baez says 'I'll bat 12th' with Kris Bryant's expected return  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs slugger Kris Bryant is expected to be activated before Wednesday's game against the Giants, and Javier Baez doesn't envision any problems.  —  “I'll bat wherever,” said Baez …

Column: No apology necessary: White Sox All-Star Jose Abreu worth keeping more than trading  —  Chicago Tribune  —  In the White Sox clubhouse Sunday, players gathered as manager Rick Renteria announced first baseman Jose Abreu had been named an American League All-Star starter.

MLB's Home Run Derby: Five players we'd like to see in the event  —  Max Muncy, the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie, is the first player to confirm he will participate in Monday's Home Run Derby.  —  Nationals star Bryce Harper, MLB's ambassador for next week's All-Star Game in Washington …

Astros beat A's 6-5 on bizarre play in 11th inning  —  Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin argues with home plate umpire David Rackley during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Houston.  Melvin was ejected.  (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Marte lead Pirates to 2-0 victory over Nationals  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Starling Marte hit a two-run home run and Trevor Williams combined with four relievers on a five-hitter as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Wednesday.  —  Marte homered to center field …

Phillies activate RHP Vince Velasquez from DL  —  NEW YORK — The Philadelphia Phillies have activated right-hander Vince Velasquez from the 10-day disabled list.  —  Velasquez had been sidelined by a bruised right forearm.  He is slated to start Wednesday night against the New York Mets.

Royals starter Ian Kennedy to DL with oblique strain  —  Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy is back on the disabled list with an oblique injury.  —  The Royals placed Kennedy on the 10-day DL with a left oblique strain Wednesday, one day after the right-hander pitched just three innings against the Minnesota Twins.

Peralta's blast lifts Diamondbacks over Rockies, 5-3  —  DENVER — Tyler Anderson kept Arizona in check for six innings.  Once he left, the Diamondbacks pounced on the Colorado Rockies bullpen.  —  David Peralta and A.J. Pollock homered in Arizona's four-run seventh inning, and the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Angels overcome injury to Richards, beat Mariners 9-3  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) After a big game with the bats, the Los Angeles Angels went home worried about one of their most important arms.  —  Kole Calhoun and Andrelton Simmons each had three of Los Angeles' 15 hits Tuesday night …

Rookie Lauer leads Padres to 4-1 win against Dodgers  —  NEW YORK (AP) San Diego Padres rookie left-hander Eric Lauer popped out of the dugout for the ninth inning and was greeted by Cake's “The Distance” on the PA, as well as the heart of the Los Angeles Dodgers' order.

Astros Option Ken Giles To Triple-A  —  The Astros have optioned righty Ken Giles to Triple-A, per a club announcement.  Southpaw Cionel Perez will take his place on the active roster.  —  Giles, 27, was originally acquired to be the Astros' closer in a 2016 blockbuster that sent Vince Velasquez …

Next Slide  —  MIAMI — Christian Yelich is making the most of his Miami return.  —  The newly minted all-star went 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles on Tuesday night, helping push the Milwaukee Brewers past the Miami Marlins, 8-4, at Marlins Park.  —  Yelich drove in four of the Brewers' eight runs …

Debate at the plate: Baseball's unwritten rules for arguing balls and strikes  —  Just about every night at every big-league ballpark across North America, there's an argument at home plate.  The argument is usually about the strike zone, but if the people arguing follow baseball's unwritten rules …