Cubs' Kris Bryant is punishing opponents again: 'I'm a whole lot smarter'  —  Kris Bryant was not among the 11 buzzworthy players on the podium for Major League Baseball's promotional spot that urged all to “Let the kids play.”  —  For now, he's not on anyone's short list for National League MVP …

How MLB managers feeling heat, including Nationals' Davey Martinez, block it out  —  How MLB managers feeling heat, including  —  Nationals' Davey Martinez, block it out originally appeared on  —  WASHINGTON — Davey Martinez likes to venture around town when the Nationals are home.

Toronto faces off against Boston in division matchup  —  Boston Red Sox (24-22, third in the AL East) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (19-27, fourth in the AL East)  —  LINE: Blue Jays favored by 1 1/2 runs; over/under is 9 1/2 runs  —  BOTTOM LINE: Toronto will host Boston in a matchup of division rivals.

Star pitcher Koji Uehara retires after long career in MLB, NPB  —  Yomiuri Giants pitcher and former major leaguer Koji Uehara, who won the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013, announced Monday that his career is over.  —  “I want to end my 21-year baseball career today,” Uehara, told a press conference in Tokyo.

Rangers Hall-bound Hamilton talks life without baseball.  Is he winning addiction battle?  —  Josh Hamilton will be inducted to the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame, along with former Arlington mayor Richard Greene, on Aug. 17 before a game against Minnesota Twins, so get tickets now.

Bullpen failure wraps up rough trip for reeling Cardinals  —  ARLINGTON, TEXAS — In the clubhouse hours before it happened, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt leaned forward toward his desk and pointed to the exact spot in the Rangers' lineup that, if the game went as hoped, Andrew Miller would be waiting to face in the seventh inning.

Gregorius plays for 1st time since TJ surgery  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius played five innings of defense and went 2-for-4 with a walk Monday at extended spring training in his first game action since Tommy John surgery on Oct. 17.  —  “It was good,” Gregorius said.

Braves, Mariners Swap Jesse Biddle, Anthony Swarzak  —  1:13pm: The Mariners are sending around $2MM to the Braves in the trade to balance out the difference in salary, tweets MLB Network's Jon Heyman.  Paired with the remaining money that would've been allocated for Biddle's pre-arb salary …

Sixto Sanchez's latest start and more updates from the Marlins' minor-league teams  —  Sixto Sanchez's second start with Double A Jacksonville did not go as expected.  —  The Miami Marlins' top prospect, obtained from the Philadelphia Phillies along with fellow pitching prospect Will Stewart …

Yoenis Cespedes Fractures Ankle In Accident At His Ranch  —  Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes suffered “ankle fractures” in an accident at his ranch in Port St. Lucie over the weekend, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen announced Monday afternoon.  Additional information was not provided …

Tommy La Slugger: How Angels' La Stella found his power stroke  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Tommy La Stella had compiled 947 plate appearances across five major league seasons by the time he turned 30, a sample representative enough to typecast.  The numbers described him as a slap hitter with no power …