Brewers continuing to deal with key injuries  —  ST. LOUIS — Brewers manager Ron Roenicke had a quick answer Tuesday afternoon when it was suggested that his starting lineup resembled something from Spring Training.  —  “Sometimes I made it like that in Spring Training and we went out and scored 10 runs,” Roenicke said.

Back strain to cost Pineda three to four weeks  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees will be without Michael Pineda for longer than anticipated, as the right-hander ended his simulated game on Tuesday after just one inning when he felt tightness under his pitching arm.

Mets center fielder has come long way  —  Growing up in the Dominican Republic, New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares created his own version of baseball.  —  Lagares, who joined the 51s on Monday to continue his major league rehabilitation stint for a pulled right hamstring …

Mets bop Phillies 6-1 behind Jon Niese after 88 minute rain delay  —  Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese works in the first inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.  (John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports)  —  PHILADELPHIA — On the mound, Jon Niese paced around to keep warm.

(USATSI)  —  The Tigers, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox and Rockies are believed among teams showing strong interest in free-agent closer Joel Hanrahan, who is likely to sign before holding another open showcase.  —  Hanrahan is believed to have received multiple offers, with at least …

Victorino Gets 4 Hits, Red Sox Beat Rays 7-4  —  BOSTON — Shane Victorino had four hits and his first two RBIs of the season, John Lackey pitched eight strong innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the slumping Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on a chilly Tuesday night.  —  Victorino, activated …

Tigers To Promote Robbie Ray  —  The Tigers have announced that left-handed starter Robbie Ray will be recalled and make his Major League debut against the Astros next Tuesday.  —  The 23-year-old Ray ranked 91st on MLB.com's list of Top 100 prospects prior to the season and was the centerpiece …

Eric Byrnes is coming out of retirement to raise money for the Pat Tillman Foundation  —  Eric Byrnes hasn't played in the majors since 2010 and has spent the past several years doing lots of television work, but now the 38-year-old is coming out of retirement.  Sort of.

Slumping Bourjos faces tough task  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  Cardinals manager Mike Matheny had a blunt description of the task facing center fielder Peter Bourjos as he tries to get more from his swing with what could be a stretch of fewer at-bats.

Swollen disk sidelines Royals' Bruce Chen for one start, possibly two  —  The Royals scratched Bruce Chen from his start on Wednesday, but his return to the mound on Saturday is also in doubt.  —  An MRI on Chen's balky back, a condition initially described as tightness in his left glute muscle …

Astros mourn passing of former scout Matthews  —  HOUSTON — A moment of silence was held prior to Tuesday's game at Minute Maid Park following the death of Walt Matthews, who served the Astros as a scout, Minor League manager and Minor League player from 1961-2012.  He was 72.

Tigers' Max Scherzer upset with SI over cover  —  Detroit Tigers' Max Scherzer said Sports Illustrated's cover story on him wasn't what he expected.  —  “To be on the cover is a very special moment, but I'm also frustrated that they chose to put the contract stuff on the cover,” he said Sunday.