NL West

Marlon Byrd has value. 

It is tangible. It’s not like saying he brings leadership or veteran experience to a clubhouse. Those things can’t be measured. And who knows if they actually help? Especially when a team already possesses such qualities across its rows of lockers.

The San Francisco Giants announced via their Twitter account on Thursday that they acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and cash from the Cincinnati Reds for Double-A pitcher Stephen Johnson. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring a second aging former Philadelphia Phillies superstar, and, like the first, the move has the potential to be an upgrade.

Unfortunately for St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Stephen Piscotty, Juan Perez's spidey senses were tingling Wednesday afternoon.

The San Francisco Giants center fielder made a stunning catch in the bottom of the first inning, scaling the wall at Busch Stadium to rob Piscotty of a solo home run shot.

San Diego Padres shortstop Alexi Amarista sparked a double play Wednesday that will make you do a double take. But be careful—you might experience some mild whiplash.

With two outs and Oakland Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia at the plate with a 1-2 count, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw offered a fastball he thought would end the third inning.

But the pitch was deemed too far outside.

After his Colorado Rockies were swept last week at Citi Field, Nolan Arenado explained it away by raving about the New York Mets' pitching.

"The Mets have four No. 1's. We saw all four of them," Arenado said.

No one ever says that about the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Talk all you want about odd-year curses. Point out that the San Francisco Giants are looking up at the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and at the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in the NL wild-card race.

San Francisco Giants left fielder Norichika Aoki is battling concussion-like symptoms. 

Continue for updates.

Aoki Headed to DL

Thursday, August 13

According to USA Today's Jorge L. Ortiz, the Giants placed Aoki on the seven-day disabled list after he left Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros with "lightheadedness."

NEW YORK — Troy Tulowitzki looks just fine in blue.

He looks comfortable. He looks happy. He looks like he really was just what the Toronto Blue Jays needed.