How the Tampa Bay Rays are leading the AL East midway through April  —  Now, this is an impressive opening for the Tampa Bay Rays.  —  Last year, the Rays pioneered the idea of an “opener” — a pitcher who would work an inning or two at the beginning of the game, facing some of the toughest hitters instead …

It's Miller time as Goldschmidt, DeJong go back-to-back  —  MILWAUKEE  • Paul Goldschmidt, the most productive hitter with at least 100 at-bats in the history of Miller Park, was at it again Monday night.  —  The Cardinals' first baseman, a .413 career batsman before the game …

White Sox in the minors: Top prospects Dylan Cease (2-0) and Luis Robert (.475) lead the way  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As the rebuilding White Sox come off an impressive series win over the Yankees, let's check with the team's prospects in the minors.  —  Dylan Cease, Triple-A Charlotte

Why evolution of changeup could make or break Clayton Kershaw's season  —  LOS ANGELES — It was 10 years, three teams and one career ago, but Brad Ausmus remembers the game — May 17, 2010, on the road against the Florida Marlins.  Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter through seven innings that night …

Kipnis activated; Lindor set for rehab assignment  —  The Cleveland Indians activated two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis off the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Seattle Mariners.  —  Kipnis hasn't played this season because of a low-grade right calf strain.

The MLB Racial and Gender Report Card  —  There is nothing that better signals the end of a bitter winter and the beginning of spring like the start of another Major League Baseball season.  Baseball has a special place on the mantel of American history.  It gained its lore in the Roaring '20s …

After another rough outing, what's next for the Marlins' Wei-Yin Chen?  —  Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly waited as long as he could before he made the move.  —  But as Saturday's four-and-a-half hour marathon against the Philadelphia Phillies turned to the 14th inning and the rest …

Todd Frazier will not be the Mets everyday starter at third base when he returns from injured list  —  PHILADELPHIA - Todd Frazier's impending activation from the injured list will impact many elements, but the Mets' recent trend of rotating a different third baseman on any given day will remain the same.

Can the Arizona Diamondbacks get more than five innings out of Robbie Ray?  —  (Photo: Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)  —  In five innings of work last week, pitcher Robbie Ray displayed all the reasons he has excited, tantalized and, at times, tormented the Diamondbacks and their fans the last four-plus seasons.

Padres made winning choice bringing up Fernando Tatis Jr. at start of season  —  Can you imagine?  —  “I know,” Fernando Tatis Jr. said with a smile.  “We would have missed a couple things already.”  —  The Padres decided against manipulating Tatis' service time, promoting …

Angels' Shohei Ohtani cleared to begin last step in his return to lineup  —  Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani has been cleared to face pitchers, the last stage in his return to the lineup as a hitter.  —  Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who reconstructed the ulnar collateral ligament in Ohtani's right elbow …

Meet the most productive hitter in the Cubs' organization  —  Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982.  Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time.  —  CONNECT

Kris Bryant starts in left field as Cubs play the Marlins  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs have the comfort of playing in warm conditions Monday night, and they hope Kris Bryant's bat can provide the same soothing effect when they play the Marlins at Marlins Park.

Power Rankings: Big tests coming for April's hot starters  —  Just one more week into the season, we're starting to see some stronger teams emerge.  But we're also ready to crown a new No. 1, as the Astros rode their nine-game win streak to the top of rankings, earning three first-place votes to replace the Dodgers at the top slot.

Ronald Acuna named NL Player of the Week  —  It didn't take long for MLB to acknowledge Ronald Acuna's hot streak.  —  The 21-year-old was named National League player of the week Monday after hitting .545 and helping the Braves to a 4-2 record against the Rockies and Mets.

Multiple pieces ‘advantage’ for Braves pitching rotation  —  There was a lot of movement over the weekend for the Atlanta Braves starting rotation and bullpen.  —  Prior to Saturday's game, Touki Toussaint was called up to the big leagues as an addition to the Braves relief while starter Kyle Wright …