As Yankees bash away, starting pitching depth remains a question  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Masahiro Tanaka had collected his fifth win of the season, but his tone after Monday night's game suggested an unsatisfactory effort.  —  The right-hander had yielded four runs four runs and two more home runs in five innings at Globe Life Park.

Albert Almora Jr. won't try to recruit good friend Manny Machado to Cubs  —  Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. discusses his friendship with Orioles star Manny Machado on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Albert Almora Jr. said he hopes …

MLB, USA Baseball modify youth game to pick up pace  —  NEW YORK (AP) — MLB and USA Baseball are promoting a modified version of youth baseball with fewer innings, batters and pitches to pick up the pace.  —  Hit and Run Baseball is part of the MLB's Play Ball initiative announced Tuesday.

Next Slide  —  MINNEAPOLIS — A day after Ron Gardenhire's ringtone blared a Kelly Clarkson song during the middle of his post-game meeting with reporters, it was revealed the song — as expected — was not coincidental.  —  “If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger,” Gardenhire said.

Phillies' Gabe Kapler: Jorge Alfaro and Pudge Rodriguez are ‘neck-and-neck, at worst’  —  PHILADELPHIA — Even at this early stage of the season, a series for first place in the National League East elicits extra excitement from already-pumped up Phillies manager Gabe Kapler — and more than a touch of hyperbole.

Mets have interest in outfielder Jose Bautista; Does signing him make sense?  —  The New York Mets have interest in outfielder/third baseman Jose Bautista, a source confirmed.  The Atlanta Braves recently released Bautista, and he's free to sign with another team.

Souza put back on DL by Diamondbacks with pectoral strain  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. is back on the 10-day disabled list.  —  Souza originally strained his right pectoral muscle during spring training and didn't start his big league season until May 3.

Do the White Sox really think Manny Machado would want to play for a team like theirs?  —  Orioles slugger Manny Machado fields questions about being the focus of trade rumors on Monday, May 21, 2018.  (David Haugh/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  You know what's worse than the White Sox not getting any better?

Cardinals' O'Neill carries HR streak into game vs. Royals  —  Tyler O'Neill is muscling his way into the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup, one homer after another.  —  The outfielder figures to be back in there Tuesday night for the middle game of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium …

Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers … A key player for the Diamondbacks is nearing a return that could provide a needed boost as the team struggles to find production.  —  Right-field stalwart Cindy McBride - known either as “Flag Lady” or “Rally Sally” - has been making progress rehabbing …

Ex-Royals lefty Tim Collins pitches in majors for first time since 2014 World Series  —  Obviously, there is never a good time for an injury in baseball.  —  But for left-hander Tim Collins, Tommy John surgery in spring training of 2015 meant he had to watch his teammates win the World Series that fall.

Thompson, Huff lead Hickory to 5-1 win over Delmarva  —  HICKORY, N.C. (AP) — Sam Huff had three hits and scored two runs, and Tyree Thompson allowed just three hits over 7 1/3 innings as the Hickory Crawdads beat the Delmarva Shorebirds 5-1 on Tuesday.  —  Thompson (2-3) picked up the win …

Medina, Pujols carry Clearwater to 6-1 win over St. Lucie  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Jose Pujols homered and had two hits, and Adonis Medina allowed just three hits over five innings as the Clearwater Threshers defeated the St. Lucie Mets 6-1 in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Matt Harvey's home debut for Reds comes five years after Sports Illustrated cover  —  As Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Matt Harvey prepares to make his home debut at GABP Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, The Athletic's Richard Deitsch points out that Harvey was on the cover …

The Shohei Ohtani experiment isn't just working — it's been perfect  —  I just got a calendar reminder that I set a little more than a year ago, to make fun of my friend Daniel.  “There's no way a major league team will let Shohei Ohtani hit,” he swore to me last spring.  “Zero chance.  Way too risky.”

Boston columnist condemns MLB hypocrisy with Pete, gambling  —  MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Pete Rose and the Cincinnati Reds Wochit  —  Some on Twitter and elsewhere who point out the hypocrisy of Major League Baseball embracing gambling while refusing reinstatement of Hit King …

Cards' Alex Reyes to start, could return next week  —  Cardinals pitching prospect Alex Reyes will return to the majors as a starter and could rejoin St. Louis' rotation as early as next week.  —  Reyes, 23, has been dominant in three minor league starts this month and is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list next Monday.

Scavuzzo's single leads Okla. City over Memphis in 10 innings  —  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jacob Scavuzzo hit an RBI single in the top of the 10th inning to help lead the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 10-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday.  —  Henry Ramos scored the go-ahead run on the single …