MLB: Indians deal for reliever Hand  —  The AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians have bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of left-handed All-Star closer Brad Hand and reliever Adam Cimber from the San Diego Padres in exchange for catching prospect Francisco Mejia.  —  The trade was announced Thursday morning.

Josh Hader to rejoin Brewers for first time since insensitive tweets surfaced  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager David Stearns wants reliever Josh Hader to “re-earn the trust” of his teammates when he rejoins the team Friday.  —  Milwaukee is set to resume its season following the All-Star break …

On Deck: Orioles at Blue Jays  —  BALTIMORE ORIOLES at TORONTO BLUE JAYS  —  STARTING PITCHERS  —  RHP Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.35 ERA) vs. RHP Sam Gaviglio (2-3, 4.58 ERA)  —  Bundy was 3-0, 1.98 ERA, 0.99 WHIP in June before he went on the DL with a left ankle sprain.

What would it take for the Cubs to pull off a deGrom blockbuster?  —  CHICAGO — It's a dilemma every general manager grapples with at one time or another: Do you make a trade from a strength to shore up a weakness while hoping and praying that moving those parts doesn't create a new hole to fill?

Diamondbacks still like their chances despite Manny Machado trade  —  Having lived through one of the better performances of a trade deadline rental in recent history in slugger J.D. Martinez last year, the Diamondbacks couldn't entirely downplay the Los Angeles Dodgers' acquisition this week of infielder Manny Machado.

Cubs' Kyle Schwarber says Home Run Derby 'wasn't rigged'  —  Photos from the 2018 Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kyle Schwarber woke up Tuesday feeling like he had been in a car wreck.  —  What was sore?  —  “Arms, sides, back ... about everything,” the Cubs left fielder said.

Rays should trade Chris Archer  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Chris Archer wants the Rays to get going.  —  Trade more veterans.  Bring back Willy Adames and bring up the next group of kids.  Get on with getting better, and get back to reaching the postseason, as they did four times over six years that seems a long time ago.

Nationals players express concerns about Dave Martinez's handling of the pitching staff  —  The Washington Post  —  Relievers are the canaries of major league rosters, the first players tossed into the mine, the first to get a sense of a manager's strategic know-how and feel its effects.

What it means to be in first place coming out of the All-Star break  —  As baseball enters its second half, the Red Sox, Indians, Astros, Phillies, Cubs and Dodgers lead their respective divisions.  But how much does that really matter?  We look back to see what history tells us.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Cubs Place Brandon Morrow On 10-Day DL  —  The Cubs have placed closer Brandon Morrow on the 10-day disabled list with inflammation in his right biceps.  The placement has been backdated to July 16th.  —  There's no indication at present that a lengthy absence is anticipated.

Cubs Acquire Jesse Chavez  —  The Cubs have acquired right-hander Jesse Chavez from the Ranges, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported (via Twitter).  Lefty Tyler Thomas is heading to the Rangers in return.  —  Chavez, 34, is owed $1.5MM on the season under his one-year deal.

Shohei Ohtani Cleared To Begin Throwing Progression  —  Angels starter/DH Shohei Ohtani has been cleared medically to resume throwing, per a club announcement.  The news came on the heels of his examination after six weeks of rest following stem cell and platelet-rich plasma treatment.