Cardinals fall 5-2 to Royals in 10 innings  —  Pitcher Bud Norris was flawless in ninth inning.  He set down the Royals in order and struck out two.  —  The tenth couldn't have been more different.  Norris loaded the bases, then allowed a two-run single to catcher Drew Butera, who is hitting .176 on the year.

Chicago Cubs take crack at Cleveland Indians rookie Adam Plutko  —  An accomplished veteran southpaw will face off against an inexperienced but ambitious right-hander when the Chicago Cubs host the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night to wrap up a two-game series at Wrigley Field.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge: ‘No need’ to defend Home Run Derby title  —  Aaron Judge has already decided to pass on defending his 2017 Home Run Derby title.  —  The New York Yankees slugger said he will skip the event this July at Washington's Nationals Park.

‘Future is now’ for Braves thanks to historic young duo of Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr.  —  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

Jose Altuve standing tall again as Astros host Giants  —  HOUSTON — The standard of excellence is so high for Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, that one weekend blip of stalled production rings alarms.

Cincinnati Reds place closer Raisel Iglesias on the disabled list with biceps injury  —  The Reds placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday.  —  Interim Manager Jim Riggleman said Iglesias has been bothered by a sore left biceps for several days.

Mariners' Mitch Haniger day-to-day after taking pitch off left wrist  —  Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger left Tuesday night's game in Oakland after being hit on the left wrist by a Trevor Cahill pitch in the fourth inning.  —  The team said X-rays were negative and Haniger was listed as day-to-day.

J.D. Martinez Doesn't Need The Green Monster  —  When the Boston Red Sox signed free agent slugger J.D. Martinez this past offseason, it looked like a match made in baseball heaven.  As a right-handed power hitter who'd recently embraced MLB's fly-ball revolution — to great effect …

Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier will be with Mets on eight-game road trip  —  Both Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier, members of the 10-day disabled list, will accompany the Mets on their upcoming eight-game road trip, which kicks off Thursday night in Milwaukee, manager Mickey Callaway …

State of baseball's rebuilding teams: Contenders already?  —  Last winter, with baseball's free-agent class mostly dangling in limbo, super agent Scott Boras was about all we had for hardball-related entertainment.  —  You probably remember many of Boras' metaphor-laden barbs.

Fulmer, Goodum help Tigers top Twins 4-1, stop 5-game skid  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Fulmer is a bit confused.  —  Fulmer felt good going into his previous outing yet allowed three runs in a no-decision during a loss at Seattle.  —  “I come here today just not feeling well.

Astros To Place Josh Reddick On DL, Recall Jake Marisnick  —  The Astros will place outfielder Josh Reddick on the 10-day DL to address a leg infection, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (via Twitter).  Houston will recall fellow outfielder Jake Marisnick to take the open roster spot.