Matt Holliday’s nose was grazed by a pitch from Andrew Cashner in the sixth inning of Thursday night’s series finale against the Padres. Though Holliday fell to the ground, he stood under his own power and walked to first base while talking to manager Mike Matheny, who pulled Holliday out of the game. Blood was coming from Holliday’s nose as he left the field.

When the Trade Deadline arrives on Aug. 1, Jay Bruce may no longer be with the Cincinnati Reds. Bruce’s name has swirled in trade talks for much of the past year, and rumors have only intensified as he’s hit .263/.314/.530, tacking on 19 home runs and 66 RBIs.

A’s pitcher Kendall Graveman knew he needed to select a major by the end of his sophomore year at Mississippi State, and leaned toward pursuing business until his father, Gary, suggested something else.

After watching the White Sox dip below .500 again, general manager Rick Hahn is viewing the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline a lot differently than he did a couple of months ago.

Rockies left-handed reliever Boone Logan is no stranger to trades, although as rumors swirl, he may have to get used to something new — a midseason trade.

After a small scare and a three-day break, Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra — out with a left high-ankle sprain — resumed his running program Thursday, and believes he could soon begin a Minor League rehab assignment.

Julio Teheran will continue to draw interest from teams looking to add a frontline starting pitcher before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline. But Braves general manager John Coppolella contends he will not be influenced to trade his All-Star pitcher.

Jose Quintana has got it all. He’s highly skilled, durable, consistently works deep into games and is under control through 2020 at a below-market price. Yet it’s time for the White Sox to cut him loose.

Brewers hitting coach Darnell Coles will be busy Sunday morning getting players ready for the finale of a three-game series against the Cubs. But if time allows, you can bet he will find a television tuned to MLB Network.

General manager Matt Klentak said the Phillies have been “very active” with trade discussions over the past few days. That is not surprising, because they have a host of players who could help a contender.

The Red Sox had hoped to get Blake Swihart on a Minor League rehab assignment by this weekend, but those plans have been scrapped. The left fielder has felt some recurring soreness in his left ankle as the activity increased.

Big Papi will never stop doing cool stuff.

Even though Stephen Strasburg had built an unbeaten record through his first 17 starts this season and had not suffered a loss since last September, outings like the one Thursday afternoon that have left the Nationals so encouraged by what the pitcher he has become.

Late Wednesday night, Adam Jones stood in the Orioles’ clubhouse next to two uninhabited lockers — one belonging to Manny Machado (virus) and one belonging to Hyun Soo Kim (strained right hamstring, 15-day DL). Despite having back spasms, Jones ensured he’d play the following day.

Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig exited Thursday’s game against the Nationals with an apparent injury.

Giants executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean affirmed that the team is striving to acquire a reliever by the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline who will upgrade the bullpen significantly, not just incrementally.

About five minutes into White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest’s daily press briefing on Thursday, he suddenly was interrupted by the presence of Royals manager Ned Yost, first baseman Eric Hosmer and catcher Salvador Perez.