In baseball, numbers are everything.  Why 10 matters most to MLB veterans.  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Throughout this summer, small but lively pregame celebrations will take place in several clubhouses across the baseball landscape.  —  The Tampa Bay Rays will likely fete Sergio Romo on Monday …

Daniel Poncedeleon called up by Cardinals 13 months after severe head injury  —  St. Louis Cardinals righthander Daniel Poncedeleon is preparing for his major league debut just 13 months after a line drive to the head threatened not only his baseeball career but his life.

Gomez: Ohtani ‘probably will need Tommy John surgery’  —  Pedro Gomez discusses Shohei Ohtani's Grade 2 UCL sprain and how the Angels are holding out hope that surgery won't be necessary.

WATCH: Detroit Tigers' Kody Clemens a HR machine in super regionals  —  Perhaps the Detroit Tigers made a good third round pick in Kody Clemens.  —  The son of former star pitcher Roger Clemens has been outstanding for Texas this postseason.  Clemens — the No. 79 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft …

Rays recall shortstop prospect Willy Adames from Triple-A Durham  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled 22-year-old shortstop prospect Willy Adames from Triple-A Durham after placing infielder Daniel Robertson on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins ready to open series  —  MIAMI — The Miami Marlins and the San Francisco Giants, who meet Monday night to start a three-game series, have vastly different objectives this season.  —  The Giants (33-32) are trying to win now, and they have remained competitive …

Balk gives Astros 8-7 win, first 4-game sweep of Rangers  —  Texas closer Keone Kela had already thrown a pitch to Evan Gattis with two outs when Astros manager A.J. Hinch came out of the dugout apparently to question whether Kela had balked.  After a brief conversation among the four umpires …

Albert Almora Jr. in, Ben Zobrist out of Cubs lineup against Brewers  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon explains why he pulled Kyle Hendricks after 5 innings.  (Teddy Greenstein/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Albert Almora Jr. will bat leadoff Monday night as the Cubs try to seize …

Washington Nationals visit New York Yankees for two-game series  —  NEW YORK — Nearly a month ago before the Washington Nationals hosted the New York Yankees, Bryce Harper was given the bait in the form of questions about him leaving Washington for New York when he hits free agency after this season.

Skidding Colorado Rockies hit the road to face Philadelphia Phillies  —  The Colorado Rockies start a six-game road trip Tuesday night in Philadelphia.  The change of scenery might not be a bad thing.  —  The Rockies, who were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field this past weekend …

Stroman's rehab moving along as pitcher prepares for Dunedin outing  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Yes, the winter home of the Jays has been a busy spot of late, with regulars from the big team recovering from a variety of injuries.  —  Let's start with pitcher Marcus Stroman …

A.J. Pollock lone D-back in first return of All-Star votes  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks do not have much representation in the first return on All-Star balloting.  —  Outfielder A.J. Pollock was ranked 13th among National League outfielders with 110,055 votes.

Bullpen Power Rankings: Who's best at locking down their leads?  —  If you asked fans of 30 teams how they feel about their team's bullpen, you'd probably get 25 or so responses indicating how much better their teams would be without those bums in the pen.  People instinctively remember …

Indians call up top C/OF prospect Francisco Mejia  —  The Cleveland Indians called up top prospect Francisco Mejia on Monday.  —  Mejia, a catcher/outfielder, was ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in baseball by ESPN's Keith Law in January.  He has been hot of late, batting .350 with three doubles …

Power Rankings: Rivals stake their claims for Astros' throne  —  The voting is in, and what figures to be a season-long three-way wrestling match for top honors in our Power Rankings has a new champ.  After reclaiming the highest perch for just two weeks, the Astros, defending world champs …

Dee Gordon solidifying second base job, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto says  —  As the Seattle Mariners keep winning games, their 41-24 record and view from the top of the American League West has forced them to contemplate their plans for Robinson Cano once the eight-time All-Star returns from the suspended list in August.

After another rocky outing, is Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo's roster spot in jeopardy?  —  The Orioles opened spring training with four Rule 5 draft selections in camp.  Now, there's only one — right-handed reliever Pedro Araujo — and his time on the active roster might be running out.