Nationals place pitcher Trevor Williams on the injured list with an elbow sprain  —  WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals placed starter Trevor Williams on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain Friday, two days after the veteran right-hander gave up a season-high seven runs in an 11-2 loss to Detroit.

Sources: Guardians' Luis Ortiz subject of gambling investigation  —  Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball after a betting-integrity firm flagged a pair of pitches that had received unusual gambling activity, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Phillies demote rookie pitcher Mick Abel to Triple-A two months after MLB debut  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies demoted rookie right-hander Mick Abel, who has struggled since he struck out nine in his major league debut, to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon goes on injured list, will miss more than month with calf strain  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs starter Jameson Taillon may miss “more than a month” with a right calf strain, manager Craig Counsell said Friday after the team placed the veteran right-hander on the injured list.

Poor hitting has Braves fending off trade deadline questions after series loss to Angels  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves don't want to hear they are running out of time to prove they can still compete for a playoff spot.  —  Continued offensive woes are making a case Atlanta could be sellers instead of buyers at the trade deadline.

OHTANI, JUDGE AND THE BAT BRAND OWNED BY EX-MLB STAR CÉSPEDES  —  As the torpedo bat craze stormed Major League Baseball to start the 2025 season, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge were both asked about making the switch.  “I'm very satisfied with my current bat,” Ohtani told the Japanese press after an April walk-off home run.

MLB's Two Worst Teams Play Today.  The Game Is Sold Out.  —  The 20-67 Colorado Rockies, last in the National League, host the 28-59 Chicago White Sox, last in the American League, for the start of a three-game series Friday.  Good luck getting a seat.  —  The Rockies are expecting …

Aaron Judge draws 23rd intentional walk, matches Mickey Mantle's 1957 Yankees record  —  TORONTO — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge drew his 23rd intentional walk of the season in the eighth inning Thursday night against Toronto, matching Mickey Mantle's 1957 team record.

Yankees making trade calls on third basemen — here are the potential candidates  —  THE Yankees are starting to make calls in search of a third baseman.  —  It's an unusual situation, where their current third baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr., is arguably their second-best player.

Royals at Mariners Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 3  —  It's Thursday, July 3 and the Royals (40-47) are in Seattle to take on the Mariners (45-41).  Seth Lugo is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against Bryan Woo for Seattle.

Nationals' James Wood joins Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh as Home Run Derby participants  —  WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood became the third player to announce he will take part in the Home Run Derby.  —  The derby will be held on July 14, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta.