The Pirates will face a hard stretch. They are competing for a postseason spot against teams that have all been there recently and have firsthand knowledge of dealing with the pressure.

As expected, the Mariners announced on Tuesday that they placed Mike Carp on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin muscle. In a corresponding move, the Mariners recalled Justin Smoak from Triple-A Tacoma. The switch-hitting first baseman was in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

Andy Pettitte will begin long-tossing this week, but will remain cautious as he recovers from his fractured left ankle.

Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher was suspended one game for leaving the dugout to quarrel over balls and strikes and for “aggressively” arguing with home-plate umpire Mike Estabrook during Sunday's game, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, there was a little concern about whether Ryan Dempster would follow through with his plan to join fellow Rangers pitcher Derek Holland for their scheduled ride over to the MLB Fan Cave for Harry Caray impressions, hilarity and hijinx.

With their catchers' offensive production lagging well below league average, the Mets on Tuesday acquired Kelly Shoppach off waivers from the Red Sox for a player to be named.

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira and pitcher Derek Lowe were elected into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame on Tuesday, along with Rangers manager Ron Washington.

The Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School has been in existence for 10 years but has gained unprecedented attention when Carlos Correa, the school's most famous alumni, made history as the first Puerto Rican player selected with the first overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft.

Rachel and Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson's widow and daughter, respectively, will be in attendance in Atlanta, where his Dodgers will take on Hank Aaron's Braves.

There are several recently traded players making first impressions with contending clubs, from Ichiro Suzuki in Yankees pinstripes and Hanley Ramirez in Dodger blue to Zack Greinke, Ryan Dempster and Francisco Liriano pitching for new clubs, each outing carrying increased postseason implications.

Law students Joshua Snowden and John Bowen were selected as contestants for the Royals edition of “Bucks on the Pond.” They were picked after being seen walking around Kauffman painted completely blue.

Mike Trout is firmly at the forefront of the American League MVP Award conversation. But he is hardly the only rookie whose performance will be pivotal to the playoff hopes of his club.

The White Sox recalled left-hander Donnie Veal from Triple-A Charlotte prior to Monday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Veal takes the roster spot of outfielder Jordan Danks.

Red Sox icon Johnny Pesky, who spent the majority of his baseball career in Boston and for whom the right-field foul pole at Fenway Park is named, died Monday. He was 92.

Coming into the season, Josh Johnson had no innings limit placed on him, and he doesn't expect there to be one for the rest of the season. Making every start was the goal at the beginning of the year, and the Miami ace remains on track to do so.

For a 13-day stretch beginning Friday against the Dodgers, the Braves plan to employ a six-man rotation, manager Fredi Gonzalez said Monday.