Monumental mashing: Ranking D.C.'s record 10 All-Star Game homers  —  WASHINGTON — Don't be ashamed.  It's OK to admit you like home runs.  You can still go on YouTube and watch highlights of your favorite skinny dudes and slap-hitting middle infielders from the 1970s and '80s …

MLB to require Brewers pitcher Josh Hader to take sensitivity training in wake of old tweets  —  Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader will be required to take sensitivity training and participate in the league's diversity and inclusion initiatives after tweets from his past emerged during Tuesday's All-Star Game.

8 hitters available for teams that don't land Manny Machado  —  Manny Machado could be wearing a new uniform before he plays another game and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks.  —  Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even if they miss out on Machado.

Column: After a brief lull, we now return to our regularly scheduled baseball season  —  Photos from the 2018 MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After chilling out the last few days — whether at home …

Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Scott Schebler on the disabled list with shoulder injury  —  When the Reds return from the All-Star break on Friday, they will be without one of their usual leadoff hitters.  —  Scott Schebler was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.

Next Slide  —  The Diamondbacks are going to realize how much every game counts when they get back from the All-Star break Friday.  —  Mathematicians, statisticians and sabermetricians can (accurately) tell you that each contest is just 1 of 162, but from here on it's going to feel far more intense than that.

Cubs at the break: What's half full, what's half empty?  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs find themselves battling the Brewers in the National League Central for the second consecutive season.  Here are three reasons why their cup of optimism is half full, and three why it's half empty:

Tyler Benson patiently working through San Diego Padres minor league system  —  Montville native and San Diego Padres prospect Tyler Benson could have gotten frustrated with having to spend a second season in the Rookie Ball-level Arizona League.  —  His reaction, however, was quite the contrary.

Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to come off DL Thursday  —  Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will return Thursday for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats after being sidelined since June 7 with a patellar tendon strain in his left knee.

How crazy would it be to consider trading Bryce Harper?  —  Bryce Harper ruled the All-Star Home Run Derby, but it has been an up-and-down year for Washington's slugging free-agent-to-be.  Given the Nationals' struggles, we asked our experts if the Nats should consider doing the unthinkable …

White Sox send outfielder Charlie Tilson to Triple-A Charlotte  —  The White Sox optioned outfielder Charlie Tilson to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.  —  Avisail Garcia and Nicky Delmonico are expected back from the disabled list soon, leaving no room for Tilson in the outfield.

J.D. Martinez Offers Practical Prediction For Red Sox-Yankees AL East Battle  —  The Boston Red Sox were the best team in baseball during the first half of the season, posting a Major League Baseball-best 68-30 record.  —  But despite their blistering start, the Red Sox were unable to put away …

As MLB mulls rule changes, union hints at work stoppage  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Major League Baseball wants a broad discussion with players about rule changes to combat decreased offense and longer games, an initiative likely to be met by a testy union stung by declining free-agent prices …