NEW YORK -- David Ortiz has never been shy about saying whats on his mind. This time, though, it might earn him a slap on the wrist from Major League Baseball.After playing in his final All-Star Game on Tuesday night in San Diego, Ortiz lobbied for the Boston Red Sox to trade for Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. Big Papi also?made a recruiting pitch for Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion, a free agent after the season, to replace him as Bostons designated hitter next season.It all seemed harmless enough. But MLB is looking into whether Ortiz broke tampering rules, according to a league source. There arent any indications that MLB will take disciplinary action in the form of a fine or suspension, but its possible Ortiz could receive a warning letter from the league office.Tampering? I dont write no paycheck, Ortiz said Friday, chuckling at the very suggestion he committed a transgression. I can say whatever I want. Im not a GM or a team owner or whatever. I mean, if I say tomorrow that I want to play with LeBron James, is that tampering, too?The league source said players are subject to MLBs tampering rules, which stipulate there shall be no negotiations or dealings respecting employment, either present or prospective, between any player, coach or manager and any major or minor league club other than the club with which the player is under contract, or acceptance of terms, or by which the player is reserved or which has the player on its negotiation list.Ortiz might have violated the spirit of that rule when he said of Fernandez, I want him in my starting rotation. I mean, we need a little bit of help, and hopefully that happens at some point. Who knows?Ortiz went on to say of Encarnacion, The Red Sox know that they need to reinforce the middle of the lineup [next year]. And sorry, Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that? Jason Smith Bucks Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. D. J. Wilson Jersey . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/Luke-Maye-City-Edition-Jersey/ .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Vin Baker Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Robin Lopez Jersey . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford.BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Brazils players wept with joy inside the stadium, and Brazilian protesters were sprayed with tear gas outside it as the countrys national football team reached the Confederations Cup final despite another wave of mass demonstrations on the streets. Brazil beat neighbours Uruguay 2-1 with an 86th minute header from Paulinho in a performance that failed to reach the commanding heights of earlier games. As thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police nearby, inside the Mineirao Stadiujm, Brazils footballers reached Sundays final in Rio de Janeiro with a patchy display. Security was high at the semifinal as protesters, in part angered by the billions of dollars spent on World Cup preparations, targeted this high-profile semifinal in the latest in a series of demonstrations that have taken place in Brazil during the Confederations Cup. They were met by tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes with police, but the match itself was unaffected by the protests. Protests have already been announced for Sundays final at the Maracana Stadium. "Its a new team and this is going to help us grow for the World Cup," Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said. "We know that we can face a very difficult opponent (and win)." Cesar prevented Uruguay from taking the lead in Belo Horizonte, saving a penalty kick from Uruguay striker Diego Forlan in the 13th minute. The save turned out to be decisive. Just as they later did for the winner, Paulinho and Neymar combined to help set up Brazils opener just before halftime. Neymar brought down Paulinhos high ball and, after his initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Fred pounced on the loose ball to score. Although Edinson Cavani seized on sloppy defending to equalize for Uruguay three minutes into the second half, Brazil finally started to click as an attacking force and now either Spain or Italy stand between the host nation and a third consecutive Confederations Cup title. "We are not ready yet," Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We have to go through this, through all these situations so we can grow and evolve ... and reach the World Cup in better shape." "What I have to show them is the progress that they made. This is how I make them self-confident," he said. With each victory, Scolari is raising expectations that Brazil can replicate its 2002 World Cup success under him and clinch the title for the sixth time in 2014. "We played with our hearts," Scolari said, before sounding a note of caution: "Mainly, from the middle of the field onwards, we still lack a link there so we can have better chances to score.dddddddddddd" Inside the stadium, animosity was directed from the start at Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, who enraged Brazil by accusing Neymar of diving on the eve of the match. The crowd was even more incensed when Lugano won a penalty in the 13th minute, although there was little to dispute David Luizs tugging of the defenders shirt. Facing a wall of noise, Forlan struck low and Cesar dived correctly to his left. It was the fourth penalty out of eight in the tournament so far to be missed. Forlan was the most potent attacking threat on the pitch as Brazil struggled to impose itself on the game. The swagger and verve the Brazilians had rediscovered to open the tournament with three group-stage victories was missing in an edgy start by the hosts. Neymar, on whose shoulders the nations World Cup hopes are resting, was lacking the service to make an impact. There was the occasional moment of menace, with Hulk using his strength to burst through the defence, but Uruguay came closer to taking the lead. Uruguays resistance was eventually broken by Fred. Two defenders proved to be an ineffective barrier, even to a scuffed shot from Fred which landed in the bottom corner of the net. Brazils elation disappeared three minutes into the second half. Slack defending gifted Uruguay its way back as several chances to clear the danger were wasted. A clearance from Luiz lacked urgency, then Thiago Silvas pass to Marcelo was easily intercepted by Cavani, who scored past Cesar. However shoddy the work of Brazils defenders, the quality of the forwards started to shine through as the game became feisty, with five yellow cards awarded. Brazil pressed and probed for the winner: Fred struck over from Neymars cross and the star forward had an effort saved himself. The game was heating up, and Neymar exchanged taunts with Uruguays Alvaro Gonzalez before sarcastically blowing him a kiss. But Neymar helped to ensure Brazil had the last say in the match, as he floated a corner into the penalty area that Paulinho rose above Martin Caceres to meet and head into the net. "It was an even match, maybe we even had more chances than Brazil, but football is like this," Uruguay striker Luis Suarez said. "In the end they found a way to win." ' ' '