The Chicago Cubs are expected to pursue a trade with the Oakland Athletics for Ben Zobrist this summer.

Zobrist recently returned to action after undergoing knee surgery.

The 34-year-old has a reputation as a utility player with plus-defensive skills at multiple positions.

Zobrist is under contract for $7.5 million this season. He'll be a free agent this coming fall.

Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez will be eligible to sign in the upcoming July 2 period, Major League Baseball has informed teams.

Alvarez's appeal for eligibility to sign in the current period has been denied.

The Los Angeles Angels added to their bench this week when they acquired Kirk Nieuwenhuis, but they won't stop there.

The Angels led the American League in runs scored last season, but they currently rank next to last.

"We'll be looking for the remainder of the trade season," Jerry Dipoto said.

The OPS of every regular player, including Mike Trout, is lower this year than last.

"If it were up to one guy, we've got as good a one guy as anybody," Dipoto said. "It takes a lineup to score runs, not one guy. 

"There were no warning signs that these guys were going to go out and start throwing up seasons that were 25% below what they would ordinarily do. At some point, the other shoe will drop, and we'll start seeing some offense."

The St. Louis Cardinals will be without Matt Adams for quite some time, if not the remainder of the season, which may put them in the market for a first baseman.

For the time being, the Cardinals have recalled Ed Easley, a catcher, from Triple-A Memphis with Mark Reynolds taking over at first base.

Buster Olney of ESPN mentions Ryan Howard, Ben Zobrist, Aramis Ramirez, Adam Lind, Daniel Nava, Ike Davis, Garrett Jones, Daniel Murphy and Travis Ishikawa as trade options for St. Louis.

The Los Angeles Angels have acquired Kirk Nieuwenhuis from the New York Mets.

The Mets will receive cash in the transaction.

New York designated the outfielder for assignment last week, putting him in limbo.

The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a trade that hit a roadblock early Tuesday.

The Dodgers will receive Callaspo, left-handed pitchers Eric Stults and Ian Thomas and right-handed pitcher Juan Jaime in exchange for Uribe and right-hander Chris Withrow.

"I respect their decision," Uribe said through a translator. "One never knows what's going to happen. If I play for another team, then I play for another team. I can't control what happens. You have to take things as they come. It's happened to me before. One day you're here, one day you're not. Thank God there are other teams that are interested in me."

A deal that would have sent Uribe to the Braves for Callaspo had been blocked by Callaspo earlier in the day.

"Unfortunately, it was found out about because he was taken out of the lineup. And that's the right way to do it," Fredi Gonzalez said. "You don't want a player that you're possibly going to trade get hurt. I talked to Albert this morning just before I came to the ballpark, and he's fine with it. It's all good. He's a good teammate and a popular guy in our clubhouse."

Callaspo had the right to refuse a trade until June 15 because he signed with the Braves as a free agent last offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies aren't close to a trade involving any of their veteran players, according to Ruben Amaro, Jr.

"I've had dialogue on a variety of things over the last several weeks and that will continue," the general manager said. "There's been dialogue on all these guys. But nothing is imminent.

"These guys having success is good for us on all fronts, whether they stick with us and continue to be part of what we're trying to do moving forward or whether we utilize those assets to improve our club. Them doing well can only help our club."

The Phillies have a number of players that might receive interest on the trade marketing including Jonathan Papelbon, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.

"I've had dialogue on a variety of things over the last several weeks and that will continue," Amaro added.

Alberto Callaspo has blocked a trade that would have seen the Atlanta Braves deal the infielder to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Juan Uribe, according to a source.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, Callaspo has the right to refuse a trade until June 15 because he signed with the Braves as a free agent last offseason.

The Atlanta Braves are attempting to trade Alberto Callaspo.

Callaspo was held out of Monday's game and Fredi Gonzalez explained the reason for his absence.

The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Braves prior to the 2015 season.

Callaspo is hitting 206/.293/.252 in 123 plate appearances.

Ryan Howard is showing signs of an offensive resurgence, which may allow the Philadelphia Phillies to trade him to an American League team looking for an upgrade at designated hitter.

Howard is hitting .268/.314/.550 with 10 home runs.

Some of the clubs that may be looking for help at DH are the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins.

The Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles may eventually also become strong fits.