Neil Walker Gives Mets a Lift With His 8th Homer of April  —  Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson would not admit that he was surprised by the play of Neil Walker or that Walker's seven home runs were unexpected entering Monday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

What To Expect: Jose Berrios  —  Aaron Blair was No. 1 on the first official Prospect Hot Sheet of 2016 and made his major league debut two days later.  Jose Berrios was No. 2, and now will be called up by the Twins, according to BA correspondent Mike Berardino.

Is a hot dog a sandwich?  —  “Of course not.  It's a hot dog (you imbecile)... ” would be your response, if you're anything like the average major-league baseball player.  —  Point of Order: While no major leaguer actually called me an imbecile over the past few weeks …

Man who allegedly threw daughter off bridge last year heading to hospital instead of trial  —  CLEARWATER, FL (WFLA) — John Jonchuck is heading back to a state mental hospital instead of facing trial in Pinellas County.  Jonchuck is accused of murdering his 5-year-old daughter Phoebe 15 months ago.

Jake Arrieta, Cubs Remain Far Apart On Extension Framework  —  Cubs ace Jake Arrieta believes he will get a six- or seven-year deal if the Cubs don't extend him before he becomes eligible for free agency following the 2017 season, USA Today's Bob Nightengale writes.

Grand jury indicts Manziel in family violence case  —  Johnny Manziel was indicted on a misdemeanor assault charge, News 8 confirmed.  The formal announcement is expected Monday. … DALLAS - A Dallas County grand jury has handed down a true bill of indictment against former Cleveland …

Video Of Woman Walking Dog Alongside Car Raises Animal Cruelty Concerns  —  STOCKTON (CBS13) — A woman caught on video pulling a dog by its leash while driving down a Stockton street has some wondering if it's a case of animal cruelty.  —  The video appears to show a lazy dog walker at best …

Former Rangers outfielder David Murphy retires at age 34  —  ARLINGTON — David Murphy, a stalwart for seven seasons with the Texas Rangers, retired from baseball on Monday at age 34.  —  Murphy had been playing with Rochester, N.Y., Minnesota's affiliate in the Triple-A International League.

Alex Rodriguez leaves with oblique injury in Yankees' 8-1 loss to Rays, MRI negative  —  The Yankees finally have an excuse to bench Alex Rodriguez — other than the fact that he's batting .145 on the season, of course.  —  The 40-year-old slugger left Sunday's 8-1 home loss to the Rays with left oblique stiffness.

Marijuana ‘grow operations’ found at Ohio slaying sites  —  (CNN)Investigators found three marijuana “grow operations” at rural residences where eight family members were killed in southern Ohio, state Attorney General Mike DeWine said Sunday at a news conference.

April 26, 1941: Cubs are first MLB team to have organ music  —  Wrigley Field organist Gary Pressey at his keyboard adjacent to the pressbox during a game in 2001.  —  Chicago Tribune … Ray Nelson, who on Saturday unveiled his pipe organ behind the grandstand screen at Wrigley field …

Yankees Return to Site Where a Downward Spiral Began  —  ARLINGTON, Tex. — When the Yankees, fragile after Alex Rodriguez's injury scare and with a lineup that can't dent a sheet of tinfoil, arrived here for a three-game series with the Texas Rangers that began Monday night, the climate was noticeably different from their last visit.

Indians' Carlos Carrasco injures hamstring, expected to go on DL  —  DETROIT — Cleveland manager Terry Francona would normally be happy with a sweep in Detroit, but he had more pressing matters on his mind Sunday afternoon.  —  The Indians lost starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco to a hamstring injury …

Too little, too Latos; Rangers swept in the Windy City … Part of the intrigue of baseball is that you can feel so confident in a team on one day, after they sweep a division rival in a decisive fashion, and then three days later, it feels like there can never again be joy in Mudville.