MLB: K-Rod signs with Nationals  —  The Washington Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Francisco Rodriguez, according to multiple reports Monday.  —  Rodriguez, released last week by Detroit after posting a 7.82 ERA this season, is a six-time All-Star …

Questions abound in bullpens as Rays, Pirates open series (Jun 27, 2017)  —  PITTSBURGH — Eyes could be on the closers when the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series Tuesday at PNC Park.  —  The reasons, however, are different.  —  For Tampa Bay (40-38) …

Jordan Montgomery pitches New York Yankees past Chicago White Sox  —  CHICAGO — As New York Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery warmed up before his start Monday night, he had no idea how his assortment of pitches would carry over to the game.  —  “You can really never tell,” Montgomery said.

Appeals court dismisses minor league player suit against MLB  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that dismissed a lawsuit filed by minor league baseball players accusing Major League Baseball of colluding to suppress wages.  —  The U.S. Court of Appeals …

MLB power rankings: Dodgers make a statement, Astros No. 1  —  Thanks to a 10-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers overtook first place in the National League West and the No. 2 spot in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.  —  The Dodgers, led by rookie slugger Cody Bellinger …

Rangers Reaction: Progressive Field meltdown belongs to bullpen  —  CLEVELAND  —  Of all the ugly numbers to come out of the Texas Rangers' collapse Monday night, one stands above all others.  —  No, it's not the Rangers blowing a seven-run lead.  —  Rather, it's this …

Greinke in a groove, until ...  Since allowing two singles to the Phillies in the first inning, Diamondbacks starter Zack Greinke has been on a tear.  The right-hander retired 12 batters in a row until walking Brock Stassi with one out in the fifth.  —  A diving stop by shortstop Nick Ahmed enabled …

MLB All-Star voting: Tigers' Miguel Cabrera in danger of missing out  —  The Tigers drafted Florida pitcher Alex Faedo with the 18th pick in June's draft.  We break down the numbers behind his dominating performance in the College World Series.  Video by Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press Wochit

Matt Holliday out of lineup again in aftermath of allergic reaction  —  Yankees outfielder Matt Holliday remained out of the lineup Monday as New York began a series in Chicago against the White Sox.  —  Holliday has been dealing with issues stemming from an allergic reaction he had in Oakland on June 17.

Cubs' Willson Contreras leads off game with HR  —  The Cubs' Willson Contreras on batting leadoff vs. the Nationals on June 26, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs 1, Nationals 0 (third inning)  —  Willson Contreras, batting leadoff for the first time in his career …

Charlie Sheen puts Babe Ruth ring, Red Sox sale document up for auction  —  Charlie Sheen has revealed himself as the owner of two of the most coveted pieces of Babe Ruth memorabilia, which will be sold Friday.  —  Sheen told ESPN on Monday that it is he who consigned Babe Ruth's 1927 World Series ring …

Rockies Place Carlos Gonzalez, Tyler Anderson On 10-Day DL  —  The Rockies have placed both outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and southpaw Tyler Anderson on the 10-day DL, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports on Twitter.  Two relievers will take the open roster spots, with Chad Qualls returning …

San Francisco Giants find nothing is routine in troubled 2017 season  —  Things are different around the San Francisco Giants, and not simply because the three-time World Series champions are on pace to lose 100 games for the first time since 1985.  —  The clubhouse, once populated …

The Astros are the team the A's would like to become  —  Time was when teams like the Astros wanted to follow the path of the A's.  —  You know, the whole Moneyball thing, going after players on a data-driven basis and putting old ideas of what makes for competitive baseball roster to the side.

All-Star Game: Breaking down the most deserving to fill our AL roster  —  For baseball fans, the beauty of the All-Star Game is that they have a direct say in a portion of the roster.  —  The occasional bad fan choice, unfortunately, often means players having All-Star caliber seasons …