Rumor Mill Roundup: July 19

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Diamondbacks have lost their grip on first place in the NL West and now they'll be without right fielder Justin Upton for a spell as they try to fend off the Dodgers. The budding 20-year-old star has battled a strained oblique injury since before the All-Star break. Eric Byrnes' season is already in doubt, so this news has to increase the pressure on Arizona GM Josh Byrnes to go out and get an outfielder. We know the Snakes won't rule out Barry Bonds, but Seattle's Raul Ibanez or one of the available Pittsburgh bats -- Xavier Nady or Jason Bay -- are still more likely to wind up in Arizona.

- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports that a top Brewers official is at Yankee Stadium for this weekend's Yankees-A's series scouting players. The player most likely being watched by Milwaukee? Oakland closer Huston Street, who has been effective, though not his usual dominant self this season. The Brewers have bolstered their rotation already by adding CC Sabathia, but the bullpen is still a point of concern. Milwaukee ranks 10th in the NL in bullpen ERA and it will have to get better if the club is going to make a push for the postseason.

- The Joe Blanton deal could weaken the market for Colorado closer Brian Fuentes, taking one of Fuentes' potential suitors, the Phillies, off the board. After dealing pitching prospect Josh Outman and second base prospect Adrian Cardenas, Philadelphia will be reluctant to empty out more of an already thin farm system. Still, plenty of suitors for Fuentes' services remain, likely including both New York clubs, Tampa Bay and Boston. The Rockies should still get a nice haul for the left-hander.

- You never want to read too much into a single game, but David Ortiz had quite the start to his rehab assignment in Pawtucket. Big Papi went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks in his first action since May. Hitting for power is a concern with any wrist injury, and many of the rumors that the Red Sox would pursue a power bat like Matt Holliday or Adam Dunn were contingent on Ortiz not returning to 100 percent this season. If he hits like this, though, Boston isn't going to need any offensive help from outside the organization.

- Pittsburgh has not approached Jason Bay about a contract extension, an almost sure sign he'll be dealt before the July 31 deadline. The Mets, Braves, Rays and Diamondbacks are believed to be interested in the outfielder, writes the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel.