Former All-Star and Phillies catcher Darren Daulton has been diagnosed with two brain tumors and will undergo surgery next week, according to an Associated Press report out of Philadelphia.

Kyle Blanks had the first four-hit game of his career and three RBIs on Monday to continue his hot month at the plate. Blanks enters Friday’s game against the Marlins hitting .301 with five homers and 18 RBIs in June.

The Indians traded veteran infielder John McDonald to the Phillies on Thursday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Alex Rodriguez has found himself at the center of several different controversies lately — from Major League Baseball’s investigation into the Biogenesis clinic to his recent Twitter post that irked general manager Brian Cashman — but Yankees captain Derek Jeter said A-Rod won’t be a distraction whenever he returns to the Bronx.

Whether you want to be part of an official All-Star event or are doing a couch-to-5K training program or wish to help an important cause, there are increasingly more reasons to sign up for the MLB All-Star Game 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike at 8 a.m. ET on July 13.

Billy Sample, who had a solid nine-year playing career and success as a broadcaster, has written a film titled “Reunion 108,” which is expected to go into limited release after the All-Star break.

The decision to sign Raul Ibanez as a free agent has already come up aces on both accounts. Two games shy of the season’s halfway point, Ibanez leads the Mariners with 18 home runs and 43 RBIs.

Brenda Edwards and Richard Johnson of Gary, Ind., are having a pretty good summer. Exactly how good is not something we can give away here. They star in Episode 17 of the hit MLB.com game show “Bucks on the Pond,” at U.S. Cellular Field.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

All Ricky Nolasco is focused on right now is his next start, which is Friday for Miami against the Padres at Marlins Park. Anything else that could be a distraction, the right-hander is simply ignoring.

“Midsummer Madness” is now available for download as the third e-book in the MLB.com PLAY BALL Books series. It celebrates the lore of the most traditional of All-Star Games and reveals what is on the mind of the two managers who are about to seek World Series home-field advantage when the 84th edition is played on July 16 at Citi Field.

At the recommendation of Yankees team doctors, first baseman Mark Teixeira will have season-ending surgery to repair the damaged tendon sheath in his right wrist.

Top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy, who felt some discomfort when throwing off flat ground on Monday, will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Placido Polanco and Jeff Mathis each connected on two-run homers to rally the Marlins to a 5-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday afternoon at Marlins Park.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was determined to return to the field as fast as possible. Cabrera made good on that goal on Wednesday, when he was activated from the 15-day disabled list by Cleveland.

A total of 40 of the 50 players in the 2013 Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game will be attending the Minor League exhibition for the first time, with 10 players on the two squads returning to show the newbies the ropes.

Jose Reyes made his return to the Blue Jays’ lineup, but it was right-hander R.A. Dickey who stole the show in a 3-0 victory over the Rays on Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field.