Phillies' Aaron Nola to start Saturday in order to be available for All-Star Game  —  NEW YORK — The Philadelphia Phillies have adjusted their rotation for this weekend's series against the Miami Marlins to allow ace Aaron Nola to pitch in the All-Star Game.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Yankees should only consider trading Justus Sheffield for top starter, not Manny Machado  —  BALTIMORE — Look, I get the Orioles wanting Justus Sheffield in any deal for Manny Machado.  Dan Duquette wouldn't be doing his job right if he didn't ask.  —  But there's no way the Yankees …

Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies … DENVER - Manager Torey Lovullo said the Diamondbacks received good news this week on outfielder Jarrod Dyson, whose recent injury apparently was not a recurrence of the core injury that required surgery last season.

Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto, Cleveland Indians Trevor Bauer share smiles, laughs in at-bats  —  CLEVELAND - In a matchup between two All-Stars, Joey Votto and Trevor Bauer shared some lighthearted moments when they faced each other Tuesday.  —  In Votto's first at-bat, the Cincinnati Reds …

Cubs' Kris Bryant homers in first game back, says ‘mission was accomplished’ on rehab assignment  —  Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant discusses his return to the lineup after joining the team following a brief rehab stint on Wednesday, June 11, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

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 …

ON DECK: Blue Jays at Red Sox  —  LHP J.A Happ (10-5, 4.44 ERA) vs. LHP David Price (9-6, 4.44 ERA)  —  Price tied an MLB record on Saturday when he hit three batters in one inning.  Before that inning, he had hit only two batters all season.  June stats: 4-1, 2.90 ERA.  July stats: 0-1, 13.50 ERA.

Indians manager Terry Francona apologizes to team for bullpen blunder  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Giving up seven runs in the ninth and losing with the wrong reliever highlight Cleveland's fatal flaw.  —  The difference between a historically good pen (Indians, 2017) and a historically bad one …

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).

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.

Next Slide  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene has been given the green light to return after throwing off a mound for three days in a row,  —  Greene will be activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's series opener against the Houston Astros, the team announced Wednesday.

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)

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 …

Mets Release Marcos Molina  —  The Mets have released right-hander Marcos Molina in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster for the previously announced selection of outfielder Matt den Dekker, tweets Tim Britton of The Athletic.  He'd recently been placed on the disabled list in Double-A …

Shoulder surgery likely ends Miguel Gonzalez's second stint with White Sox  —  White Sox uniform has come to an end.  —  The team announced that the veteran starting pitcher had shoulder surgery Wednesday and that his expected recovery time is nine to 12 months.