The Diamondbacks have acquired pitcher Jon Rauch in an attempt to shore up their shaky bullpen.  Arizona had seen their relief corps as a strength earlier in the season, but the performances of Brandon Lyon, Chad Qualls, and Toney Pena have dropped off in recent weeks and Juan Cruz and Doug Slaten remain on the disabled list.

Rauch has been solid this season as the closer for the Nationals for most of the season.  At 6-foot-11 he is the tallest pitcher in major league

Baltimore’s Adam Loewen has decided to give up pitching after suffering through several injuries to his arm and will try to become an outfielder.  Loewen was drafted No. 4 overall in 2002, and was named Baltimore’s top prospect by Baseball American in 2004.  He was rated second best in 2006.  This move is surprising given how rare a move like this is at the major league level, but the successful conversion of Rick Ankiel shows that it can be done.

Usually, an All-Star game of any kind is little more than an exhibition.  This year, baseball’s version lived up to its billing as the “Midsummer Classic.”  The American League continued its dominance winning the game 4-3 in 15 innings in front of a sellout crowd in the last year of Yankee Stadium.

 

Justin Morneau scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Michael Young by just beating Corey Hart’s throw to the plate.  The game last

Ben Sheets and Cliff Lee have been picked to start Wednesday’s All-Star game at Yankees Stadium.  Their selections mean that the final starting rosters have been set.  The All-Star festivities began on Sunday with the Futures Game that was won by the World team 3-0.  The events will continue on Monday with the Home Run Derby followed by the actual game on Tuesday.

Chicago has responded to Milwuakee's acquisition of C.C. Sabathia by trading for Oakland ace Rich Harden in a six player deal.  The Cubs get Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer John Donaldson.

Sitting four games ahead of the Brewers and 3.5 ahead of the Cardinals entering Wednesday, the Cubs made this bold move that will greatly improve the team provided the oft-injured righty stays healthy.  Harden is one of the best talents in baseball, but has yet to prove it consistenly on the field

Milwaukee has won the C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes.  The Indians and Brewers have agreed to a trade will send the big lefty from the A.L. Central to the N.L. Central in exchange for prospects Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, and a player to be named.  Sabathia is on a tremendous run recently after a bumpy start to the season and instantly becomes one of the best players in the Senior circuit.  He has 109 strikeouts (against just 20 walks) in 104 innings with a 2.16 ERA over his last 14 starts.  He will provide a huge upgrade over Seth McClung who he will replace in the

Dodger shortstop Rafael Furcal will undergo surgery to repair a bulging disc leaving his season (and his team's playoff chances) in doubt.  He is expected to miss two months at the minimum, but that means he would be returning in September which leaves precious few games left in the regular season.  Los Angeles started Thursday just 1.5 games behind Arizona, and in the West two good weeks could create a comfortable cushion in the standings.

 

Furcal was hitting .366 with a 1.045 OPS at the time of his injury.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a disappointment all season.  The off-season signings of manger Joe Torre and slugging outfielder Andruw Jones brought optimism to Chavez Ravine, but that has morphed into a 38-43 record at the halfway point.  Torre has not been able to ignite a punchless offense, and Jones is among 10 players currently on the disabled list (which is probably a good thing - he's been terrible at the plate).

By the miracle of the mediocre National West however, the Dodgers still stand just 2.5 games out of first place and the playoff spot that comes with

Here are some injury notes on some key players in baseball this week.  Fantasy players should pay close attention because some of the biggest names will be spending some extended time on the bench:

• Chipper Jones has already missed 8 games, and now he looks headed to the DL.  Jones has avoided the disabled list all season despite a nagging hamstring injury, but now he may also miss the All-Star game despite hitting .394 for the season.

• Yunel

The NBA draft is on. Check back here throughout the day for updated commentary as the picks roll on in.

4:37: No surprise here as Chicago takes Derrick Rose to kick off the draft and my running diary. Welcome all. Rose was dominant towards the end of the NCAA season, and combines the size and athleticism rarely seen in a point guard. Don’t worry about a backcourt glut for the Bulls; Rose is way more talented than anybody on the roster.

4:43: Miami follows form and takes Michael