Top News:
Associated Press:
Yankees lefty J.A. Happ set to return as he is declared not contagious — CHICAGO — The sputtering New York Yankees got some good news Monday when left-hander J.A. Happ moved a little closer to returning from hand, foot and mouth disease. — Manager Aaron Boone said Happ is no longer contagious.
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Associated Press:
MLB: Oakland acquires pitcher Mike Fiers from Tigers — The Oakland Athletics have acquired right-hander Mike Fiers from the Detroit Tigers for two players to be named or cash. — The Tigers announced the move Monday. — The 33-year-old Fiers is 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA this season.
Discussion:
South Side Sox and MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: MLB wants struggling Yankees in October, as it should — Photos from the White Sox-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium on Monday, August 6, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — Yankees fans can thank Commissioner Rob Manfred for the kiss of death that led to their swift exit from the American League East race.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Kevan Smith names his son after Daniel Webb, his former teammate who died in October — Chicago Tribune — Daniel Webb hasn't been forgotten by his old friends in the White Sox system. The relief pitcher who died in an ATV accident in October in Tennessee provided catcher Kevan Smith …
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Athletics are for real, Yankees stumble — The Oakland Athletics, riding a six-game win streak, are threatening to shake up the American League West standings and wild-card race as they rise up the power rankings. — The A's, with a major league-best 33-10 record since June 16 …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Bob Nightengale / Arizona Republic:
As Pirates gear up for playoffs, Andrew McCutchen wonders why this season is different — PHOENIX — San Francisco Giants right fielder Andrew McCutchen sat watching the moves, his mouth agape, trying to comprehend what was happening in his adopted hometown of Pittsburgh.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Baseball News … and Cincinnati.com
ESPN:
Power Rankings: Deadline deals help deliver a new No. 1 — The slow roll of this season's trade deadline couldn't stop one big tide from rolling in, because for only the second time all season we have a unanimous No. 1. After weeks of splitting the vote with the reigning World Series champs in Houston …
Discussion:
Arizona Sports and MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Faraudo / Mercury News:
Rookie Dereck Rodriguez dazzles Astros but bullpen betrays Giants — Down to their final out, Astros rally with three-run home run — SAN FRANCISCO — Giants manager Bruce Bochy admits he doesn't know all the candidates for National League Rookie of the Year.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
ESPN:
Lance McCullers unlikely to return before September, says A.J. Hinch — Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. has a strain in his right forearm and manager A.J. Hinch said the right-hander is unlikely to return before September. — McCullers had been placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and ESPN
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Smoak's game not just big at the plate — When Justin Smoak was a first-time all star in 2017, he earned his way to the Midsummer Classic with his prowess at the plate, a performance that justifiably wooed voters. — It was the bat that got the Blue Jays first baseman to the big leagues …
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Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Red Sox at Blue Jays — Donald Duench, Toronto SunMore from Donald Duench, Toronto Sun — ON DECK — STARTING PITCHERS — LHP Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 6.56 ERA) vs. RHP Marcus Stroman (4-8, 5.63 ERA) — Pomeranz missed six weeks because of left biceps tendinitis …
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Jays and their fans “dump on Mariners table” in annual Seattle sojourn — SEATTLE — You can feel it, hear it and especially see it as you walk downtown, through Pioneer Square and past the Pyramid Brewing Beer Garden across the road from Safeco Field where the sea of blue is truly deep and impressive.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Steve Schuster / Toronto Sun:
Capellan can make Goldeyes franchise history — Winnipeg Goldeyes' closer Victor Capellan notched his 18th save of the year on Sunday versus Chicago. — The third-year Goldeyes' bullpen ace has a chance to set a franchise record for saves in one season. Oscar Montero holds the current record with 22 saves in 2004.
Vito Chirco / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers five shutouts away from franchise record of 20 — Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Francisco Liriano waits while Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis runs out his solo home run during the fourth inning Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in Oakland. D. Ross Cameron, AP
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ESPN:
Astros outfielder George Springer expected to miss 2 weeks — Houston Astros star center fielder George Springer is expected to be out two weeks after spraining his left thumb sliding headfirst into second base on Sunday. — X-rays performed Sunday were negative.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Durability a source of pride for Cubs catcher Willson Contreras — Chicago Tribune — With about one-third of the regular season remaining, Willson Contreras is on pace to catch 1,000 innings for the first time in his major-league career as well as lead all major leaguers in innings caught.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley still searching for last year's form — Diamondbacks setup man Archie Bradley doesn't disagree with the premise: His season hasn't been bad, but it doesn't feel the same as last year. But he doesn't entirely know how to explain it.
Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Punchless Twins fall 10-0 to division-leading Cleveland Indians — CLEVELAND — Twins manager Paul Molitor sewed up Understatement of the Month honors before Monday's 10-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians. — “Our personnel,” Molitor allowed, “has changed somewhat the last 10 days or so.”
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Let's Go Tribe
Kevin Zimmerman / Arizona Sports:
D-backs CF A.J. Pollock out of lineup for second day to rest legs — PHOENIX — Center fielder A.J. Pollock will not be in the Diamondbacks' lineup for the second day in a row as Arizona opens a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
