Baseball by the numbers: White Sox' ‘D’ still needs improvement  —  BY JOHN GROCHOWSKI  —  For the Sun-Times  —  Entering this season, White Sox fans hoped they would see improved defense from their team.  With Dayan Viciedo (minus-17 last season in Fielding Bible runs saved as listed …

Yankees' Alex Rodriguez relates to Nationals' Bryce Harper on and off the field  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — It's hard to imagine what it must be like to be Bryce Harper.  —  Sports Illustrated cover boy at 16, No. 1 overall pick at 17, Rookie of the Year at 19.

Rafael Furcal To Retire  —  Royals infielder Rafael Furcal has decided to retire, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports on Twitter.  The 37-year-old had been attempting a comeback bid in the Kansas City organization.  —  Furcal, who hails from the Dominican Republic, signed with the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1996.

Mariners Acquire Welington Castillo From Cubs For Yoervis Medina  —  The Mariners have agreed to acquire catcher Welington Castillo from the Cubs in exchange for right-handed reliever Yoervis Medina, the clubs announced.  Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports first reported the deal on Twitter.

Mets DFA Nieuwenhuis, promote Ceciliani from Triple-A  —  The Mets have designated OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis for assignment, the team announced.  —  OF Darrell Ceciliani will be promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas and join the Mets for Tuesday's game, the team said after Monday's game.

A's running out of time to recover from lackluster start  —  FOX Sports  —  Few expected Sam Fuld and the A's would have their backs against the wall so early in the season.  —  We're only in mid-May, and we've already seen the Yankees, Giants, Red Sox and White Sox recover from seemingly devastating slides.

Nationals recall INF Wilmer Difo, place Jayson Werth on 15-day DL  —  Facebook: Nationals  —  The Washington Nationals recalled infielder Wilmer Difo from Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday and placed outfielder Jayson Werth on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 16, with a left wrist contusion.

Hamels Pitches Phillies Past Rockies 4-3 for 6th Straight  —  DENVER — Cole Hamels pitched efficiently into the eighth inning and Odubel Herrera broke a tie in the sixth with a two-run double as the Philadelphia Phillies won their sixth straight game by beating the Colorado Rockies 4-3 Monday night.

Oakland Snaps 4-Game Losing Streak With 2-1 Win Over Houston  —  HOUSTON — Brett Lawrie hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the sixth, and the Oakland bullpen combined for 4 2-3 scoreless innings as the Athletics snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday night.

Hyun-jin Ryu Weighing Shoulder Surgery  —  11:40am: A “shoulder cleanup” is likely, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.  —  10:58am: Dodgers lefty Hyun-jin Ryu is weighing the possibility of a surgical option to solve his shoulder problems, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports on Twitter.

Mets To Sign Cuban Catcher Lednier Ricardo  —  The Mets have agreed to terms with Cuban catcher Lednier Ricardo, ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin reports.  Financial terms, including whether the contract is a major league or minor league pact, remain unreported.

They've become the no-go Dodgers  —  When Maury Wills starred for the Dodgers half a century ago, Dodger Stadium came alive every time he reached base with “Go, go, go!”  —  Wills stole a then-record 104 bases in 1962 and led the National League in stolen bases for six consecutive years.