12-year NBA veteran Jason Collins comes out  —  I'm a 34-year-old NBA center.  I'm black.  And I'm gay.  —  I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.  But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation.

Final Score: Marlins 4 Mets 3  —  The Least You Should Know:  —  The Marlins were able to put together a few hits and a sac-fly against Shaun Marcum in the 15th inning to win the ballgame.  At 12:43 a.m.  —  Mets scratched out a run in the 15th inning on a Lucas Duda double, passed ball and Ruben Tejada RBI infield single.

Prospect Nolan Arenado helps Rockies pound Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — Nolan Arenado hit his first major league home run, and Wilin Rosario and Dexter Fowler also homered, as the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 12-2 on Monday night.  —  Arenado, one of the Rockies' top prospects playing …

The Blue Jays Are In Trouble  —  Before the season season started, members of our staff took a shot at prognosticating the season, despite the fact that we all know You Can't Predict Baseball.  Of the 31 authors who participated, 15 of them — myself included — selected the Blue Jays …

Gattis could play some left when McCann returns  —  DETROIT — When Brian McCann returns from the disabled list, the Braves will have to determine exactly how to use him and their other two catchers — Evan Gattis and Gerald Laird.  The decision will be influenced by what happens while McCann spends …

Yankees' Youkilis to have MRI exam on back  —  The Yankees may have just watched six days vanish that could have counted toward putting Kevin Youkilis on the disabled list.  Now they are waiting on the results of an MRI exam today on Youkilis' back to know if the corner infielder has to be shelved.

No soreness for Motte after throwing for first time  —  ST. LOUIS — Curiosity gave way to relief for Jason Motte on Sunday when he arrived at the ballpark feeling no unusual soreness a day after he resumed throwing for the first time in five weeks.  —  Motte felt good enough, in fact, that he played catch for a second straight day.

Giants End 5-Game Skid With 6-4 Win Over D-Backs  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Brandon Belt hit a two-run single in the eighth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 Monday night to end a five-game losing streak.  —  Belt also had a solo homer in the second inning against Ian Kennedy.

One year in, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout are just getting started  —  Bryce Harper (left) and Mike Trout both came to the majors to stay last April 28 and are already two of the game's best.  —  It was one year ago today that the two most compelling careers in baseball began.

Jason Heyward just offered a pessimistic take on his recovery  —  Jason Heyward is on the 15-day disabled list following his appendectomy last week.  He's eligible to return a week from today, and based on the recovery timeline of other players who have had laparoscopic appendectomies …

Yovani Gallardo homers, Brewers hit five total in rout  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo hit one of five home runs for Milwaukee, which went back-to-back twice in a 10-4 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.  —  Gallardo also tossed three-hit ball over seven innings …

Astros pound Pettitte, cruise past Yankees  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Astros snap skid, pound Andy Pettitte in rout of Yankees  —  NEW YORK — Carlos Corporan homered among his four hits and drove in four runs, Brandon Barnes three hits and three RBIs …