Angels, Dodgers set for another weekend series  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to unleash Walker Buehler one more time, with the latest version of the right-hander set to return to the major leagues Friday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Jordan Hicks: Bud Norris has ‘best intentions for me’  —  Rookie reliever Jordan Hicks addressed reports of potential conflict within the St. Louis Cardinals' locker room, saying teammate and closer Bud Norris has his best interests in mind.  —  “He has the best intentions for me,” Hicks told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Thursday.

Gibson, Twins top Rays 5-1 in rain-delayed series opener  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Nine years after drafting Kyle Gibson in the first round and six seasons into his major league career, the faith the Minnesota Twins have had in the lanky right-hander has finally been rewarded on a consistent basis.

Orioles face Rangers, with Machado likely on way out  —  BALTIMORE — Both the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles almost certainly will be sellers at the major-league trade deadline.  —  As a result, there should be plenty of scouts in attendance when the teams open a three-game series beginning Friday at Camden Yards.

Yankees score twice in 8th off Kluber, top Indians 7-4  —  CLEVELAND (AP) - Aaron Hicks drove home Didi Gregorius from first base with a one-out double in the eighth inning off Cleveland ace Corey Kluber, sending the New York Yankees to a 7-4 win over the Indians on Thursday night.

Manny Machado's top 12 landing spots and MLB's next big thing  —  The Manny Machado Watch has intensified over the past couple of weeks.  In some ways, that's hard to believe.  After all, this has been going on since last winter, when the Baltimore Orioles' star infielder was reportedly …

Jerry Blevins continues to struggle against lefties, gives up big home run in NY Mets loss  —  Jerry Blevins on his first start in the 8-7 loss to the Dodgers Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  NEW YORK — Relievers are always hot commodities at the trade deadline.

Cubs All-Star Javier Baez is the most exciting player in baseball  —  SAN DIEGO — It's not easy to walk the streets or have a meal with budding Chicago Cubs star Javier Baez.  Just ask his teammates, who have seen Baez rise from a piece in the Cubs puzzle to an All-Star who is must-watch at the plate, on the bases and in the field.

Rizzo takes center stage as Cubs visit Padres  —  SAN DIEGO — One team has already used the San Diego Padres as a springboard this week to take the lead in a National League division race heading into the All-Star Game break.  —  Will the Chicago Cubs be the second?

Veteran pitcher Casey Coleman was contemplating retirement.  Then the Cubs called.  —  Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982.  Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time.

MLB: Papa John's faces fallout  —  The Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles suspended their business relationships with Papa John's after the company's chairman of the board apologized for using a racial slur and resigned.  —  In a statement Thursday, the Marlins said “derogatory and insensitive comments” …

Column: Biggest question for White Sox in second half: When is Eloy Jimenez coming?  —  Photos of the White Sox outfielder and No. 4-ranked prosepct by Baseball America.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It's hard to keep track of all of the injuries to White Sox prospects, but look at the bright side …

Maikel Franco's career with the Phillies could just be taking off |  Bob Brookover  —  We forget sometimes how difficult it is to become an established everyday player, one that is consistently good and capable of handling the physical and mental grinds that come with playing a three-hour game every day for six straight months.

Three up, three down: Blake Treinen is on fire, Dexter Fowler isn't  —  Three up  —  Bullet Trein: The perennially rebuilding Athletics could be trade-deadline buyers after going 19-5 from June 16 through Thursday, the best record in baseball in that span, to improve to 53-41 …

Angels' Garrett Richards to have Tommy John surgery  —  MLB, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels right-hander Garrett Richards has opted to have season-ending Tommy John surgery to repair ulnar collateral ligament damage in his right elbow.