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The Pittsburgh Pirates are 23-17 after pn the season, but have done so on good pitching. The club's offense has struggled, posting a .242 batting average in 46 games, good for No. 12 in the National League. The Bucs also rank No. 10 in on-base percentage, offsetting their respectable No. 8 ranking in slugging. One of the problematic spots in the order is occupied by third baseman Pedro Alvarez.

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With the struggles of Danny Espinosa, who enters play Thursday batting .163 with 40 strikeouts and just four walks, the Washington Nationals could strongly consider making a move soon in order to improve the club's offense, which ranks No. 29 in baseball in average and on-base percentage, and No. 28 in slugging.

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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard sat out Sunday's game against the Reds with a sore left knee and will have a precautionary MRI on Monday.

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The Philadelphia Phillies, despite being a few games under .500 and having lost Roy Halladay for an extended period of time, are just 3 1/2 games back in the National League East and GM Ruben Amaro says the team is looking to buy right now, not sell.

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There will be clubs in the thick of a pennant race this summer that will have a soft spot where a better hitter will improve their lineup. Will there be teams with help to offer?

Depending on the status of their own clubs' attempts to contend deep into the season, Josh Willingham, Josh Donaldson, Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau could all be targets before the deadline. Others that also could be targets include Philly's Michael Young, who is batting .296 with a .383 on-base percentage through 40 games, and perhaps San Diego's Chase Headley if the club doesn't feel they'll be able to get him signed to a long-term extension.

Donaldson is a player the Oakland Athletics certainly don't have to move, as he started the season with less a full season of service time under his belt. They could cash in on the fact that not a lot of hitters will be on the market and the lack of third base options throughout baseball.

Might the Cardinals look to do the same with Matt Carpenter or Matt Adams with David Freese healthy and swinging a better bat of late? Time will tell, and prospect Oscar Taveras could be part of their though process if they consider such scenarios. With Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran injury risks to some level, first baseman Allen Craig is occasionally needed in the outfield to fill in for them. If Taveras proves to be ready later this summer, at least in case of injury, the club may feel they can move Adams, a natural first baseman.

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Michael Bourn began his career in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, taking him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. He eventually blossomed into an All-Star after being traded to Houston and then to Atlanta.

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The Philadelphia Phillies could use another pitcher now that Roy Halladay will undergo surgery on his injured shoulder that will sideline him for a few months.

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The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a sluggish start and Roy Halladay is on the shelf for the time being, so could they cut their losses and become sellers by July?

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The last time Tony La Russa was in a big league dugout as manager was the All-Star Game in Kansas City last July. Could the longtime bench boss make a comeback?

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All the rumors that Roy Halladay was not 100 percent healthy were confirmed Sunday when the former Cy Young Award winner admitted he has been experiencing right-shoulder discomfort since the morning after his April 24 start against the Pirates.

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I've brought up the idea on a couple of occasions this spring that the Philadelphia Phillies may be a popular shopping center for contending clubs come June and July. Left-hander Cliff Lee and closer Jonathan Papelbon could be among those discussed by GM Ruben Amaro. What about Chase Utley?

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The Philadelphia Phillies hope to get some return on their investment from outfielder Delmon Young, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday prior to a series in Cleveland.

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With Carlos Ruiz returning from his suspension Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies cleared a roster spot by designating Humberto Quintero for assignment.

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Delmon Young is on a rehab assignment -- which is moving to Triple-A Lehigh Valley from Class-A Clearwater -- and is closing in on being activated from the disabled list following surgery on his ankle. Once he's ready to go, the club will have to make a decision in terms of how they make room.

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