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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

White Sox Designate Bruce Rondon, Select Jeanmar Gomez  —  The White Sox have designated right-hander Bruce Rondon for assignment, per a club announcement.  Replacing him on the roster will be fellow righty reliever Jeanmar Gomez, whose contract was selected.

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)

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.