Howard could return to Phillies‘ lineup Tuesday
Phillies slugger Ryan Howard could return to the lineup Tuesday at Tampa Bay after being hospitalized over the weekend with flu symptoms.


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Chicago baseball writers to discuss steroids, Hall of Fame
The Chicago chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America is taking up the thorny question of what to do with “Steroid Era” players and the Hall of Fame. The writers plan to meet Friday to discuss whether there should be any guidelines for voting in light of the drug scandal that has tainted baseball over the last dozen years.


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Kansas City Royals (29-39) At Houston Astros (32-35),
Right-hander Zack Greinke tries again to recapture early- season magic tonight, when the Kansas City Royals visit Minute Maid Park for the opening test of a three-game interleague series with the Houston Astros.
Reds‘ Votto finds strength to battle mental health stigma in locker room
Joey Votto said Tuesday he thought he was going to die, following the death of his father last August. It took guts for the Cincinnati Reds first baseman to say that.


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Redbirds Beat Royals
The Redbirds finally broke out of their offensive slump Tuesday night with a 6-3 win over the Omaha Royals after being shut out in their two most recent outings against Iowa.
Daily Pitch: Sinkerballer Aaron Cook helps Rockies win again
Monday night was good for two sinkerball pitchers. Aaron Cook’s sinker stymied the hot-hitting Los Angeles Angels 11-1 in Anaheim, while up the road in Oakland, rookie Trevor Cahill pitched a strong seven innings in the Athletics‘ 5-1 win against the San Francisco Giants.


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Angels rally in the eighth to cool off red-hot Rockies
Bobby Abreu drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning after Colorado third baseman Ian Stewart messed up two bunt plays, and the Los Angeles Angels won 4-3 Tuesday night to hand the Rockies their second loss in 19 games.


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Voters step to ballot box, make smart All-Star choices
With just more than a week remaining in All-Star balloting, are the fans getting it right? USA TODAY’s Paul White takes a look at the leaders and the deserving choices:


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Tschepikow, Lyons ready for pro careers
ANDY SHUPE Northwest Arkansas Times Eric Edelstein, Naturals general manager, center, hands Kansas City Royals hats to former Fayetteville High and Arkansas infielder Ben Tschepikow, right, and former Arkansas infielder Scott Lyons as Lloyd Simmons, a scout for the Royals, right, smiles during a ceremony Monday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.