Top News:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
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 …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
RELATED:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees are ready to romp after seizing division lead
Yankees are ready to romp after seizing division lead
Discussion:
True Blue LA and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Pirates slugger Josh Bell proving critics wrong with breakout season
Luke Zahlmann / Mile High Sports:
Rockies continue to search for “big hit” in close games
Rockies continue to search for “big hit” in close games
Discussion:
Purple Row and The Good Phight
Larry Fleisher / Associated Press:
Yankees walk to half game lead in AL East
Yankees walk to half game lead in AL East
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Camden Chat, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Judge, Gregorius, Tulo making progress for Yanks — BALTIMORE — The New York Yankees made a series of positive steps on the injury front Monday, with encouraging news about outfielder Aaron Judge, shortstop Didi Gregorius and infielder Troy Tulowitzki. — Several hours before Monday's series opener …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
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.
Justin Toscano / NorthJersey.com:
Mets become first team to be swept by Marlins this season in 3-0 loss — MIAMI - Noah Syndergaard's volume matched that of the room — quiet. He spoke while a somber and disappointed visitors' clubhouse quickly cleared after Sunday's game. — In other words, they are aware …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Amazin' Avenue, Halos Heaven and New York Post
RELATED:
Todd Dybas / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
How MLB managers feeling heat, including Nationals' Davey Martinez, block it out
How MLB managers feeling heat, including Nationals' Davey Martinez, block it out
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Federal Baseball
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
Marlins showing 'it's possible here' by sweeping Mets. Can the success continue?
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Real or Not? Mets suffer the worst weekend of the season
Hanford Sentinel:
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.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Elko Daily Free Press
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Activate David Price From Injured List
Red Sox Activate David Price From Injured List
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Japan Times:
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.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Over the Monster, CBS Boston, Lone Star Ball and NESN.com
RELATED:
KHOU-TV:
Chavis homers, Red Sox snap Astros' 10-game win streak — “They played better today, they outhit us, but our at-bats against Sale were good,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “We'll see him again in five days.” — Author: The Associated Press — BOSTON — Michael Chavis pointed …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, Over the Monster and MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
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.
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Josh Hamilton headed to Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in August — Josh Hamilton, the 2010 American League MVP, and Richard Green, the Arlington mayor when Globe Life Park was built and opened, will be inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame this summer. — The Rangers announced …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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.
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, U.S.S. Mariner, Talking Chop and MLB Daily Dish
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
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 …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
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 …