Top News:

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.
Discussion:
MASNsports.com
RELATED:

Mets add pitchers Paul Blackburn and Dedniel Núñez to long injured list — NEW YORK — Already running low on pitching, the New York Mets added starter Paul Blackburn and reliever Dedniel Núñez to a crowded injured list Thursday in their latest flurry of roster moves.
Discussion:
New York Times, SNY and MLB Trade Rumors

Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt goes on injured list and heads for scan of forearm — NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt was placed on the 15-day injured list because of right forearm soreness on Friday, one day after his start at Toronto was cut short following three innings.
Discussion:
Associated Press, SNY, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB.com, New York Post, Pinstripe Alley, New York Times, New York Daily News and Sportsnet.ca

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.
RELATED:

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.
Discussion:
Battery Power, Braves Today, Associated Press and Orange County Register

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 …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune

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.
Discussion:
Royals Review
RELATED:

Vaughn Dalzell / NBCSports.com:
Guardians at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 3
Guardians at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 3
Discussion:
Sidney Daily News, New York Times, Plain Dealer and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Vaughn Dalzell / NBCSports.com:
White Sox at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 3
White Sox at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 3
Discussion:
True Blue LA and South Side Sox

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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and McCovey Chronicles

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.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, Federal Baseball and Sportsnet.ca

Young players having key roles in Marlins' surprising improvement — MIAMI — After Eury Pérez struck out his season-high seventh batter on Thursday, the 6-foot-8 Marlins right-hander pumped his fist and looked up at the stands at Miami's loanDepot Park.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Twinkie Town, Sportsnet.ca and ESPN

Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez's setback not as serious as first feared, GM says — DENVER — Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez's setback to his recovery from a fractured right hand is not as serious as first feared, general manager Dana Brown said Thursday.