(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 …

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.

Game Recap: Mets 6 - Phillies 1  —  Jon Niese pitched a gem during a rainy night at Citizen Bank Park to help the Mets (15-11) defeat the Philadelphia Phillies (13-13) by a score of 6-1 Tuesday evening.  >> Read the full recap and box score at SNY.tv.  —  Need to Know: After waiting through …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Brewers are for real, not an April fluke, thanks to pitching  —  ST. LOUIS — The Milwaukee Brewers are for real.  —  That's not to suggest the Brewers will remain this real — as in, maintain their .731 winning percentage and finish 118-44.  I can't guarantee they will make the playoffs.

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.

This year's Draft: Pitching, pitching and more pitching  —  Mound talent abounds at high school and college levels in 2014 Top 100 Prospects list  —  The 2011 First-Year Player Draft opened with the selection with four pitchers: Gerrit Cole (Pirates), Danny Hultzen (Mariners), Trevor Bauer (D-backs) and Dylan Bundy (Orioles).