Participants announced for Home Run Derby

Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper will take on Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman in an allNL East matchup in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

The 25-year-old Harper is the second seed at his home ballpark by virtue of his 22 homers through Tuesday’s games. Freeman, the top NL vote-getter for Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Nationals Park, is the seventh seed with 16 homers.

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar faces Philadelphia Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins in the opening round. Dodgers rookie Max Muncy meets Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez, and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman faces Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber.

ASTROS DEMOTE GILES >> The Houston Astros have optioned reliever Ken Giles to Triple-A Fresno, a night after he appeared to curse at manager A.J. Hinch when he lifted him from the game. The Astros were up by four to start the ninth inning against Oakland on Tuesday night when Giles took over and gave up three straight singles which cut the lead to 4-1.Hinch came to the mound to take out Giles and the television broadcast caught him appearing to curse at Hinch right after he walked by him on his way off the field.

RICHARDS HAS UCL DAMAGE >> The Angels placed pitcher Garrett Richards on the 10-day disabled list due to ulnar collateral ligament damage in his right elbow. General manager Billy Eppler said before Wednesday’s game against Seattle that options to treat the injury will be decided on at a later date. Eppler said Richards would decide on “conservative care” or season-ending Tommy John surgery. This is the third straight season that Richards has dealt with an arm injury. The right-hander had been limited to six starts each of the past two seasons.