Giants rookie Ryder Jones uses video game to prep for Mets' Jacob deGrom  —  San Francisco Giants infielder Ryder Jones was excited to be making his major league debut against a “big name,” so he prepped for New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom by getting in a few practice at-bats — on PlayStation.

Desperation results in Detroit Tigers lineup shake-up at Padres  —  SAN DIEGO - These are desperate times for the Detroit Tigers, and it was reflected in Sunday's lineup.  —  Manager Brad Ausmus said this morning he decided after the team's eighth straight loss Saturday night he would tinker …

McCarthy, Anderson get nods as Dodgers host Rockies (Jun 25, 2017)  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers do not have a pitching fountain of youth, but the club clearly has a mountain of physical therapists.  —  Aside from Clayton Kershaw — and even he spent part of 2016 on the DL …

Rangers put Perez on DL after LHP hurts right thumb at hotel  —  NEW YORK (AP) — A hotel door has jammed up Martin Perez and the Texas Rangers.  —  In the latest setback for a depleted Rangers rotation, Perez was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday after injuring the thumb …

Lester goes 7 innings to help Cubs beat Marlins 5-3  —  MIAMI (AP) — When Jon Lester gave up a three-run homer in the first inning Saturday, he drew upon a long-ago lesson from former teammates Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett: Start the start over.  —  Lester retired the next 13 in a row …

Sunday's game  —  Phillies at Diamondbacks  —  Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262)  —  Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Randall Delgado (1-1, 3.48) vs. Phillies RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.61)  —  TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1)  —  Delgado is getting a spot start …

Jason Vargas wins MLB-high 11th as Royals top Blue Jays  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jason Vargas earned his major league-leading 11th victory, pitching seven efficient innings to lead the surging Kansas City Royals over the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 Saturday.  —  The Royals won for the 11th …

Lynn's struggles epitomize struggles of entire rotation  —  Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com  —  One month ago, Lance Lynn had just pitched his longest outing in three years and the Cardinals had the best starting pitching in baseball.  —  What a difference a month makes.

Rays try to bounce back in rubber game versus Orioles (Jun 25, 2017)  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have been near .500 all season but not when it comes to rubber games as they've won seven straight of those.  —  Tampa Bay has another chance to continue its streak when it hosts …

Ramirez sharp in Angels' win over Red Sox; Farrell ejected (Jun 24, 2017)  —  BOSTON (AP) JC Ramirez was solid when the Los Angeles Angels needed him.  —  Blake Parker's ending was needed even more.  —  Ramirez rebounded from his shortest career start with six solid innings …

Brewers Claim Stephen Vogt  —  The Brewers have claimed catcher Stephen Vogt off waivers from the Athletics, reports Jerry Crasnick of ESPN (on Twitter).  Milwaukee was the only team to put in a claim for Vogt, tweets Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.  —  [RELATED: Updated Brewers Depth Chart]

Cincinnati Reds Homer Bailey slaughtered by Washington Nationals  —  Tim Boyle/FanSided via Call to the Pen  —  Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey made his 2017 debut Saturday against the Washington Nationals.  Bailey couldn't have drawn a tougher opponent and the Nationals made sure to remind him of this.

Dose: Young And Athletics  —  The kids were alright for the A's on Saturday.  —  A trio of rookies — Franklin Barreto, Matt Olson and Jaycob Brugman — hit the first home run, or in Olson's case home runs, in the contest, the second time a team has ever had three players hit their first major league home runs in the same game.