Top News:
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants prospect Shaun Anderson promoted to Triple-A Sacramento — WASHINGTON — The decision was easy. Giants prospect Shaun Anderson would pitch in either the Eastern League All-Star Game in New Jersey or the Futures Game at Nationals Park. — “It was obvious to me,” said Anderson …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Michael Wagaman / Associated Press:
A's rally on Canha's pinch-hit home run to beat Giants 4-3 — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Pinch-hitter Mark Canha hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning and the Oakland Athletics continued their late-game success, rallying to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Saturday night.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Associated Press:
LEADING OFF: Cards move on from Matheny, skidding Braves — A look at what's happening around the majors today: — ST. LOUIS STUNNER — The Cardinals will play their first game under interim manager Mike Shildt after firing Mike Matheny late Saturday night.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals fire manager Mike Matheny after another ugly loss — For an organization that prized continuity and rooted its recent success in more than a decade of leadership stability, the Cardinals sent a sudden, jarring message by firing manager Mike Matheny late Saturday night.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and baseballmusings.com
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
On firing Matheny, Cardinals chairman DeWitt says ‘it was time for a fresh voice’ — ST. LOUIS • Seeking what he referred to multiple times as a “fresh start” and a “new start,” Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said the firing of manager Mike Matheny late Saturday night was a response …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
With Mike Matheny fired, could Cardinals turn to Joe Girardi? Mark McGwire? — There were loud rumblings this week that the St. Louis Cardinals would fire manager Mike Matheny if they struggled against the woeful Cincinnati Reds in their final series of the first half at Busch Stadium.
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yanks' manager Aaron Boone has noticed Red Sox winning — CLEVELAND — As the Boston Red Sox keep piling up wins entering the All-Star Break, one of their rivals has been paying attention. — Although New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn't been on the hunt for daily updates …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Indians, Yankees conclude competitive season series
Indians, Yankees conclude competitive season series
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Mike Shalin / UPI:
Red Sox hope to enter break with another win
Red Sox hope to enter break with another win
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — HOUSTON — John Hicks has known Justin Verlander for quite some time. — Growing up in Goochland, Va., Hicks, 28, watched Verlander, 35, play throughout high school. The former Tigers ace was teammates with Hicks' older brother, Daniel, who counts as one of Verlander's best friends.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bless You Boys and USA Today
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Bruce Rondon Elects Free Agency — The White Sox outrighted reliever Bruce Rondon earlier this week, giving him a chance to remain in the organization at the Triple-A level. Instead, he has rejected the assignment and elected free agency, James Fegan of The Athletic tweets.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Jeff Arnold / UPI:
Royals aim for series win over White Sox before break
Royals aim for series win over White Sox before break
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
From the hospital to the mound, new father Reynaldo Lopez stays in control
From the hospital to the mound, new father Reynaldo Lopez stays in control
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Royals Review
Josh Newman / Daily Record:
Mets: Yoenis Cespedes set for simulated game, Subway Series rotation set — NEW YORK — With an eye on a possible return for the Subway Series after the All-Star break, Yoenis Cespedes will take a step forward on Monday. — Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Sunday morning …
RELATED:
Charles O'Brien / Associated Press:
Wheeler finally wins, Mets beat Washington 7-4
Wheeler finally wins, Mets beat Washington 7-4
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Guy Curtright / UPI:
Diamondbacks face Braves, aim to roll into break — ATLANTA — Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin is headed to his second All-Star Game. Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran is stuck on two selections and needs more consistency to make it back in the future.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, AZ Snake Pit and Talking Chop
RELATED:
Toronto Sun:
Rockies' Gray hopes to make himself at home vs. Mariners — DENVER — After being optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque and making two starts there, Jon Gray will return to the Colorado Rockies' rotation on Saturday and face the Seattle Mariners. — Gray (7-7, 5.77 ERA) will be opposed …
Discussion:
Purple Row and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Jo Adell tearing up minor leagues - and looks destined to play alongside, not replace, Mike Trout — WASHINGTON - When the Los Angeles Angels drafted Jo Adell with the 10th overall pick in 2017, it seemed unlikely he'd ever share the outfield in Anaheim with the greatest player in the game.
Marly RiveraESPN / ESPN:
How Jose Ramirez went from too small to star to an artist at the plate — Heading into the All-Star break, there are four hitters in baseball with an OPS over 1.000. All four are in the American League, and all four will be starting in the All-Star Game. Mike Trout, you've heard of him.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Next in the evolution of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jose Peraza as a hitter: Learn to walk this way — ST. LOUIS — With Jose Peraza and walking more, it's — pardon the play on words — baby steps. — Reds manager Jim Riggleman thinks that's the next step in Peraza's evolutions as a hitter is taking more base-on-balls.
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees unwilling to trade these youngsters for Manny Machado — CLEVELAND — According to a person with knowledge of the Manny Machado trade situation, the Yankees aren't willing to part with any of their top 10 prospects to pry the All-Star shortstop away from Baltimore.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley, Phillies Nation and MLB Trade Rumors
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
So much for Nuke LaLoosh ... White Sox prospect Michael Kopech dazzles in Durham — Photos of the White Sox pitcher and the No. 10-ranked prospect by Baseball America. — Chicago Tribune — This was the night Nuke LaLoosh looked more like Roger Clemens.