Manny Machado, Yankees trade rumors looming ahead of trade deadline  —  BALTIMORE - On the afternoon of the July 31 trade deadline, the Orioles will be in the Bronx.  —  Where will Manny Machado be on that date?  —  And would it be any surprise if the Yankees - despite their stated need …

2018 Home Run Derby: Middletown's Kyle Schwarber among National League participants  —  The four National League participants in the 2018 Home Run Derby on July 16 at Nationals Park will not include Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen, but former Middletown High School standout Kyle Schwarber …

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 …

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.

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 …

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)

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Alex Cora on D&K says he's ‘very comfortable’ with current team ahead of MLB trade deadline  —  With the July 31 trade deadline looming on the horizon, reports have circulated that the Red Sox are in the market for bullpen help, as well as potentially other spots.