Mets sign Bautista, recently cut Braves, doubles in 1st AB  —  New York Mets' Jose Bautista (11) stretches while on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in New York.  (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)  —  New York Mets' Jose Bautista …

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?

Mariners' Dee Gordon has broken toe, joins Cano on DL  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Seattle Mariners' Dee Gordon has joined Robinson Cano on the disabled list, just after taking over from the All-Star at second base.  —  Seattle said Tuesday that Gordon hurt his right big toe on May 9 in Toronto and reinjured it Sunday.

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.

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.

Kids bop: At 19, Nationals rookie Juan Soto has star company in home run club  —  SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports  —  Juan Soto, the teenage phenom …

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.

Cubs-Indians: Five stark differences since their 2016 World Series showdown  —  SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports  —  It hasn't yet been two years since Kris Bryant …

Flores, Tavarez lead Pawtucket to 7-6 win over Scranton/WB  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — Ramon Flores hit a three-run home run in the second inning, and Aneury Tavarez hit a two-run home run and had two hits, driving in three as the Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 7-6 on Tuesday.

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.”

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.