Yankees at Braves Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 18  —  It's Friday, July 18 and the Yankees (53-43) are in Atlanta to take on the Braves (42-53).  Spencer Strider is slated to start for Atlanta, while New York has yet to announce a starting pitcher.

17-year-old Eli Willits, No. 1 overall pick in MLB Draft, signs with Nationals  —  WASHINGTON — Eli Willits didn't want to waste time before signing his first pro contract.  The 17-year-old shortstop is on a tight schedule.  —  Willits agreed to terms with the Washington Nationals on Saturday …

Jeff Bittiger, former major league pitcher, longtime Athletics scout, dies at 63  —  WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jeff Bittiger, a pitcher who played four seasons in the major leagues and spent the last 22 years as a scout in the Athletics organization, died Saturday morning, the A's announced.

Reds outfielder TJ Friedl gets hit by pitch three times against Mets, tying MLB record  —  NEW YORK — Ouch!  Ouch!  Ouch!  —  Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl tied a major league record Friday night when he was hit by a pitch three times — by three different New York Mets hurlers.

Mets reliever Max Kranick expected to undergo season-ending surgery  —  NEW YORK — Mets reliever Max Kranick is expected to have season-ending surgery on his right elbow, the latest blow to New York's injury-depleted bullpen.  —  Kranick was placed on the 15-day injured list June 19 with an elbow strain.

Mets induct David Wright into team Hall of Fame, retire No. 5  —  The New York Mets inducted David Wright into their Hall of Fame and retired his No. 5 on Saturday — nearly 21 years after his big league debut.  “I went straight from the airport to the ballpark and I couldn't wait …

White Sox place All-Star rookie right-hander Shane Smith on IL with sprained ankle  —  PITTSBURGH — White Sox rookie Shane Smith was placed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained left ankle on Saturday, four days after the right-hander pitched in the All-Star Game as Chicago's lone representative.

Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has fractured left rib, placed on 10-day injured list  —  Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has a fractured left rib and was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday.  Bohm was injured a week ago when San Diego's Yu Darvish hit him with a pitch.

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. stuns Yankees with incredible throw in Atlanta's win  —  ATLANTA — Ronald Acuña Jr. caught the New York Yankees off-guard with a spectacular throw to end the third inning in the Atlanta Braves' series-opening 7-3 victory Friday night.

Phillies remain committed to keeping slugger Kyle Schwarber beyond 2025  —  PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber's deep shots — from Philadelphia to the All-Star Game - often end up going, going, gone.  —  The Phillies aren't ready to say goodbye to their star slugger quite yet as Schwarber's four-year …

Angels slugger Mike Trout closing in on 400 homers, 1,000 RBIs with aim on postseason  —  PHILADELPHIA — Mike Trout arrived in Philadelphia in time to catch the unveiling of a new target in the deepest part of the ballpark — the 2026 All-Star game logo, complete with the Liberty Bell in the center of the design.

Marlins' Connor Norby to miss 6-to-8 weeks after left wrist surgery  —  MIAMI — Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby will be sidelined for several weeks after having surgery on his wrist.  —  The procedure on Wednesday was to repair a broke hamate bone in his left wrist and was done …

Colorado Rockies minor league pitcher Eric Veras suspended 56 games following positive drug test  —  NEW YORK — Colorado Rockies minor league pitcher Eric Veras was suspended for 56 games Friday by Major League Baseball following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone.