Crawford surprised to bat third for Giants

When Brandon Crawford arrived at AT&T Park for Monday's game against the Padres, he found himself penciled into the No. 3 slot of the lineup for the first time this season as the Giants battle injuries and Buster Posey was given a day off.

Kennedy drops appeal, begins serving suspension

D-backs right-hander Ian Kennedy dropped his appeal and began serving his 10-game suspension Monday night.

Padres in holding pattern with Quentin, Cabrera

There were few answers to be had Monday in regard to the health of shortstop Everth Cabrera and left fielder Carlos Quentin. The news Monday on both was that they're still getting treatment and that a disabled-list stint is still a possibility.

10-0: Max matches 104-year-old mark in Tigers win

Move over, Wabash George Mullin. Max Scherzer has a claim on your record. With six innings of one-run ball in Monday's 5-1 Tigers victory over the O's, Scherzer not only became the first Major League starter since Roger Clemens in 1997 to go 10-0 to begin a season. He became just the second starter in the Tigers' illustrious history to do it, matching the 104-year-old standard of George Mullin.

Myers' big league dream 'finally coming true'

Wil Myers sounded eager to get his Major League career started as he talked to reporters on a conference call Monday night.

No surgery needed for Coghlan

Chris Coghlan saw a spine specialist on Monday in Dallas and the doctor confirmed that the 27-year-old won't need surgery on his injured back.

Bay sidelined by sore hamstring

An already thin Mariners roster took another hit Monday when outfielder Jason Bay was held out of the series opener against the Angels with a sore hamstring muscle.

Peavy not yet cleared to begin working out

Jake Peavy feels "a whole lot better moving around" where the fractured rib on his left side is concerned, an injury that sent him to the disabled list retroactive to June 5. But the fact that he still has to protect against sneezing, coughing or laughing shows the four-to-six-week projection for his return probably won't be sped up.

Cespedes plays as DH for fourth straight game

The Athletics hope to get Yoenis Cespedes back in the outfield soon. Athletics manager Bob Melvin wanted to put Cespedes in the outfield Monday, but he wants to see Cespedes run around before he makes the change.

Reyes, Morrow suit up for rehab game Monday

Both Brandon Morrow and Jose Reyes will continue their pursuit to put their injury woes behind them on Monday.

Izturis' clutch play edges Rox in pitchers' duel

Maicer Izturis broke up the Rockies' Jorge De La Rosa's no-hit bid in the sixth, knocked the winning hit in the eighth and played excellent defense as the Blue Jays topped the Rockies, 2-0, on Monday in Toronto. Josh Johnson held Colorado scoreless in 7 1/3 innings of work.

Scioscia confident Weaver is making progress

Jered Weaver has made four starts since returning from the disabled list and although the first one -- an impressive six inning, seven strikeout victory over the Dodgers -- electrified the Angel Stadium crowd, the right-hander has yet to return to his dominant self.

Astros 'fully engaged' in talks with No. 1 pick Appel

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Monday the club is "fully engaged" in contract talks with No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel, the right-handed pitcher from Stanford, and hopes to be able to complete a deal this week.

Rockies announcing plan for Oswalt Tuesday

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said the club will announce Tuesday their plan with veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt, who dazzled Friday in what figures to be his final start at Double-A Tulsa.

Orioles to recall Britton for Tuesday start in Detroit

The Orioles will recall left-hander Zach Britton to start Tuesday's game against the Detroit Tigers, as righty Jason Hammel continues to work back from a stomach virus.

Tigers find themselves riding closer carousel

If the Tigers' closer situation is starting to feel like a soap opera to you, manager Jim Leyland can relate. When Leyland was asked Monday afternoon how he would handle the ninth inning, he made the analogy. "This is 'Days of Our Lives,' boys," Leyland said.

Four homers back Leake as Reds win series opener

Mike Leake continued a stingy streak of pitching and was supported by home runs from Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce for a 4-1 victory over the Pirates on Monday at Great American Ball Park.

Batting practice session big hit with KC dads

If you think the fathers of Royals players are happy about having their sons playing in the Major Leagues, consider this: On Monday, the dads themselves got to take batting practice at Progressive Field with Hall of Famer George Brett throwing the pitches.

Tribe's Perez eyeing Friday return to bullpen

Closer Chris Perez believes he'll be ready to return to Cleveland's bullpen on Friday after just one more rehab appearance. Perez is scheduled to throw an inning for Double-A Akron on Tuesday.

Wandy gets throwing in with pitching coach

Wandy Rodriguez made the trip to Cincinnati with the team this week. Before Monday's game, Rodriguez, who left a June 5 start against the Braves with left forearm tightness, was able to get some work done with pitching coach Ray Searage.

Royals victorious in 'wild' one against Indians

Right-hander James Shields logged six strong innings in a no-decision, as Elliot Johnson crossed home plate on a wild pitch in the ninth to give the Royals a 2-1 win over the Indians on Monday night at Progressive Field.

Teixeira could be headed to disabled list

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that he is leaning toward placing first baseman Mark Teixeira on the 15-day disabled list, but a final decision has not yet been made.

Pineda making strides on rehab assignment

Right-hander Michael Pineda's next Minor League rehabilitation start will come on Thursday for Class A Advanced Tampa in Dunedin, Fla.

Tigers put Anibal, Avila on 15-day disabled list

The Tigers on Monday placed right-hander Anibal Sanchez (strained right shoulder) and catcher Alex Avila (deep bruise on his left forearm) on the 15-day disabled list.

Big promotions to bigs on two-fer Tuesday

This month has already seen Yasiel Puig's dazzling debut with the Dodgers, Anthony Rendon's return to D.C., Gerrit Cole's promotion in Pittsburgh and Mike Zunino's assumption of Seattle's catching duties. On Tuesday, two particularly prominent promotions will be added: Wil Myers will bring his right-handed power bat to the Rays' lineup, and Zack Wheeler will toe the rubber for the Mets.

Braves' Hudson withstanding the test of time

Pitcher Tim Hudson, at the age of 37, has had a long career in a game that is often punctuated by one-hit wonders, would-be stars that fizzled before they dazzled. Hudson didn't fizzle. Why?

A's finding fans in latest Power Rankings

Continuing their run of strong play, the A's surged toward the top of the latest Power Rankings. But did they do enough to get past powerhouses from the NL Central and AL East?

Harper cleared to begin strength work on knee

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper saw Dr. Wiemi Douoguih, the team medical director, on Monday morning, and Harper was cleared to begin strengthening activities, which means he can walk and jog. The team is hoping Harper can soon progress toward running.

Utley nearing rehab stint; Ruiz nearing return

Chase Utley took swings toward the end of the Phillies' batting practice Monday, and it may not be too long before he is doing the same thing in a game at Citizens Bank Park.

Brown's RBI single walks off Phils vs. Nats

Domonic Brown hit a two-out single up the middle to score Ben Revere from third base to give the Phillies a 5-4, walk-off win over the Nationals on Monday night.