From
To
AP Wire
The Chicago Cubs have activated right-hander Jameson Taillon and placed reliever Phil Maton back on the 15-day injured list with right knee tendinitis. Taillon was slated to start the opener of a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. He had been sidelined by a left hamstring strain. Chicago also added Aaron Civale to its 26-man roster two days after it acquired the right-hander in a trade with the Athletics. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was designated for assignment. The 33-year-old Maton has gone on the IL with right knee tendinitis three times this year.
AP Wire
Former Cubs player Anthony Rizzo snares Michael Busch's home run ball in the Wrigley Field bleachers
The ball from current Cubs first baseman Michael Busch’s first inning solo homer against Minnesota was recovered in Wrigley Field’s right-field bleachers by former Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo didn’t catch Busch’s 12th homer on the fly, but reached behind and picked the ball up off the concrete after it landed. Rizzo held it high in the air with a small boy on his shoulder. Rizzo played 10 of his 14 seasons with the Cubs and took part in dedicating the “Champions Gate” at Wrigley Field before the game. It commemorated the 10th anniversary of Chicago winning the World Series in 2016.
AP Wire
Millions of people in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are muddling through another day of unhealthy air from uncontrolled wildfires in Minnesota and Canada. The nation’s capital was enveloped in an eerie haze Friday. And Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians postponed their game against Pittsburgh Pirates in Ohio. Air quality warnings are expected to remain in effect at least through Saturday in parts of the U.S. There’s potential for temporary relief with storms forecast over the weekend. But a forecaster at the National Weather Service says smoky conditions are expected to last as fires continue to burn largely unchecked.
AP
Jordan Walker won the Home Run Derby. He wants to lead the next wave of Black athletes into baseball
Jordan Walker hopes his star-making turn at the Home Run Derby will inspire more young Black athletes to follow in his footsteps and choose baseball. Walker grew up outside Atlanta and said he was inspired by Jason Heyward, a Gold Glove winner and Black player with the Braves who debuted when Walker was 7 years old. The significance of representation in the Black community was never lost on Walker. After beating Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber in the final round of the Home Run Derby, Walker said he wants to be a role model for young Black players.
AP Wire
There were many casualties in the earthquakes that rocked parts of Venezuela last month. Thousands of lives were lost, homes destroyed, livelihoods devastated. In the hardest hit state of La Guaira, the nation's most popular sport is providing solace and hope. Many baseball fields have been repurposed as campgrounds for the estimated 18,000 people made homeless by the twin temblors. And one abandoned baseball stadium provides a space for young players to train, remember and commiserate. Venezuela has long been an incubator for Major League Baseball stars, and coaches still believe that some of the boys have a future in the sport despite the hardship and loss.
AP Wire
The head of baseball's players' union criticized management for its salary cap campaign. Bruce Meyer says the sport is thriving despite claims that change is needed. He accused MLB of trying to persuade fans the game is broken. Attendance has increased this season. Commissioner Rob Manfred says the cap proposal responds to fans' concerns about competitive balance. He argues smaller markets need hope for success. MLB's recent changes, like expanded playoffs and a pitch clock, have been popular. The current labor contract expires Dec. 1 and a lockout is expected. Meyer believes a cap would harm players long-term.
AP
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Jordan Walker beats Philadelphia hometown hero Kyle Schwarber in finals of Home Run Derby.
AP Wire
Alex Bregman had a season-high four RBIs, including a three-run homer in a four-run seventh inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4. Chicago took two of three from the Reds and entered the All-Star break at 54-42, in position for an NL wild card and five games back of NL Central-leading Milwaukee. Cincinnati (43-52) lost its fourth straight series and is last in the division. Bregman was a triple shy of the cycle after hitting a two-run homer Saturday.
AP Wire
The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first pick of the MLB amateur draft. Cholowsky was a Golden Spikes finalist at UCLA and had a 1.088 OPS with 21 homers and 60 RBIs in his junior season. He was the Big Ten Player of the Year. Tampa Bay selected Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson with the second pick and Minnesota took Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey third.