The trade for Rodriguez, who is 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 23 saves this season, is another indication that the Brewers intend to win now. Melvin says he wants to be "all-in every year."
Mariners: Buyers or sellers?
An underperforming offense, mixed with dominating pitching, has left the Seattle Mariners at the all-star break with a surprising record, mixed with a tinge of missed opportunity.
It's created a murky definition for the 43-48 Mariners, who before the year appeared headed for a rough season trying to bridge a troubled past with the promise of young stars and a bright future.
But as the second half begins on Thursday night at home against AL West-leading Texas, Seattle faces a balance between taking advantage of its pitching staff and attempting to be a contender, or continuing its youth movement toward 2012.
The Mariners suffered five straight losses in the final week before the all-star break.
They begin the second half with a brutal 13-game stretch - four at home vs. Texas, then a road trip to Toronto, Boston, and the New York Yankees.
By the time Seattle returns home on July 29, its status should be clearer.
Lucky fan gets own card
The fan who returned Derek Jeter's ball from his 3,000th hit will get a bit of personal memorabilia - his own baseball card.
Topps will produce a trading card featuring Christian Lopez that will be included in sets later this year. Company vice president for sports Mark Sapir says Topps employees were impressed by Lopez's selfless act.
The 23-year-old could have kept the ball and sold it for a small fortune. Instead he said Jeter deserved to have the keepsake.
Sapir says Topps also will have Lopez choose the image for its 2012 Derek Jeter card.
Indians' Talbot put on DL
The Cleveland Indians have placed struggling starter Mitch Talbot on the 15-day disabled list with a lower- back strain. Talbot is just 2-6 with a 6.33 ERA in 11 starts. To take Talbot's roster spot, the Indians plan to recall outfielder Ezequiel Carrera from triple-A Columbus before Thursday's game in Baltimore.
Cards ink Garcia to 4-year deal
The St. Louis Cardinals solidified their rotation for the future, signing lefthander Jaime Garcia to a four-year contract extension with club options for a fifth and sixth season. The 25-year-old Garcia leads the Cardinals in victories at the all-star break, going 9-3 with a 3.23 ERA. He was due to be eligible for arbitration for the first time after the season.
