Futures Game a showcase of potential Manny Machado trade chips  —  WASHINGTON — Touki Toussaint was about to settle down for his pregame nap when Atlanta Braves director of player development Dom Chiti called.  —  “When I saw his name pop up, I did kind of get nervous,” Toussaint said.

Detroit trying to move past breakup with Justin Verlander  —  Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press Columnist  —  Sometimes it hurts more when they say they still think about you.  —  Detroiters knew this was going to be a hard weekend.  Seeing your ex for the first time after the breakup is never easy.

High-tech approach led Cardinals to sign Mikolas without seeing him in person  —  Almost all of what the Cardinals saw of Miles Mikolas' reinvention as a pitcher in Japan was the byte-sized view offered by video clips they played and replayed again on a laptop or tablet.

Cubs have long history of competing in the Home Run Derby  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber will represent the Cubs in tonight's Home Run Derby, the primetime show that often supersedes the All-Star Game in fan interest.  —  Schwarber will face off against the Astros' Alex Bregman …

Cubs surge to top of NL at All-Star break thanks to clubhouse culture  —  SAN DIEGO — All is right in Cubs Nation as the 2016 world champions used the final week before the All-Star break to take command of their division, and the National League, and now find themselves on top of both after a weekend sweep of the San Diego Padres.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom on All-Star Game: ‘I want to start’  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jacob deGrom never stops competing.  The Mets ace leads not only the National League in ERA, but all major-league starters.  Making his second trip to the All-Star Game, he thinks that should mean he gets the start.

Gary Sanchez takes positive step in rehab; Yankees set rotation for Subway Series against Mets  —  CLEVELAND - Gary Sanchez's minor-league rehab stint got off to a great start.  —  Sanchez homered while also striking out twice in three at-bats for Triple-A Scranton on Sunday.

Mike Trout's incredible start elevates him into the class of MLB's all-time elites  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Former Angels scouting director Eddie Bane cringed after soliciting help from one of his evaluators in 2009.  —  “Around the time of the draft, I asked our scouts to give some comps …

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB All-Star Game … The Diamondbacks have hovered at or near the top of the National League West all year, never falling more than 1 1/2 games back.  But if the season had ended at the All-Star break on Sunday, they would have finished just behind …

Trevor Story's walk-off home run lifts Rockies past Mariners … DENVER — Trevor Story tuned up for the All-Star Game with one memorable swing.  —  Story led off the ninth inning with his 20th homer, and the Colorado Rockies completed a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners with a 4-3 victory on Sunday.

Mets: Corey Oswalt's effort wasted as Nationals salvage weekend split  —  Mickey Callaway after Mets' 6-1 loss to Nats Josh Newman, @Joshua_Newman  —  NEW YORK — Corey Oswalt deserved better on Sunday afternoon.  —  The 24-year-old rookie right-hander gave the Mets five good innings …

Cole Hamels is focused on the Rangers, but a trade to Phillies would be a ‘blessing’  —  BALTIMORE — Cole Hamels stays in touch with enough of his former teammates to know that the Phillies will honor the 2008 World Series champions before the Aug. 5 game at Citizens Bank Park.