Dixon hits 3-run HR in 10th, Tigers beat Royals 5-2  —  After being humiliated by the Kansas City Royals a day earlier, the Detroit Tigers were focused on redemption Sunday.  —  It came via one of the lesser-known members of the roster.  —  Journeyman Brandon Dixon, only in the majors due …

How the Cubs already took over first place in the NL Central  —  CHICAGO — If there is such a thing as a baseball Hollywood script in early May, then the Chicago Cubs have the plot line down: Get off to a bad start — inviting doubters from all over the game — then turn things around …

Kevin Gausman will start Monday after 28-pitch ejection Friday  —  Kevin Gausman, ejected on Friday after only 28 pitches, will start Monday for the Braves against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.  —  “I'm getting that ‘back in the day’ action — the three-man rotation,” Gausman joked.  “It's a little weird.

As wounded Yankees work their way back, Luis Severino is still far off  —  For all the good news that the Yankees have been getting from Tampa these days, Brian Cashman dropped a dose of reality on Sunday.  While Miguel Andujar has rehabbed his way back from a serious injury and there continue …

Cora to skip Red Sox's trip to White House  —  Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Sunday that he will not accompany his team Thursday to celebrate its World Series title at the White House.  —  In a statement in Spanish sent to El Nuevo Dia, Cora cited the fact that Puerto Rico still …

Rangers rout Jays, but catcher Maile steps in to bolster bullpen  —  Frank ZicarelliMore from Frank Zicarelli  —  ARLINGTON — Desperate times call for desperation measures, a scenario the Blue Jays faced Sunday at Globe Life Park as the host Rangers were making Texas toast of their visitors.

Angels eager for Shohei Ohtani to return and bolster their hitting  —  Shohei Ohtani watches Angels pitchers throw during a spring training practice session on Feb. 15 in Tempe, Ariz. Ohtani is moving closer to returning to the Angels.  (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

Vets Hernandez, Sabathia battle as Yankees host Mariners  —  Felix Hernandez and CC Sabathia own a combined 416 victories, 5,498 strikeouts and 951 starts.  —  Besides accumulating numbers, the veteran pitchers are in various stages of revamping their pitching styles from being power pitchers to using craftiness to get outs.

Steven Matz flies back to New York with nerve irritation, next start in question  —  The Mets rotation suffered a pair of setbacks following the team's 3-2 loss against the Brewers on Sunday afternoon at Miller Park.  —  Steven Matz left the Mets six-game road trip Sunday and flew …

106 or bust?  How Jordan Hicks learned he could throw faster than anyone on Earth  —  Jordan Hicks has thrown the three fastest pitches in major league baseball this year.  And the next three after that.  And the next three after that.  In fact, the St. Louis Cardinals' closer has unleashed every …

Power Rankings: NL powerhouses emerge in fight for No. 1  —  The early-season shake-ups and surprises are starting to fade.  Say goodbye to another fast Mets start, and the Mariners cracking the top five was fun while it lasted.  But the deeper we get into the season, quality and depth are beginning to show through.

How can Javier Baez hit so well after falling behind 0-2?  'He's absolutely fearless.'  —  Photos of Cubs infielder Javier Baez.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Synonyms for conventional include normal, standard, regular, ordinary and common.  —  The antonym for conventional can be found patrolling shortstop at Wrigley Field.

Keith Law's 2019 MLB Mock Draft 1.0  —  The MLB draft starts in just four weeks, which means we're close enough to at least start talking about who might be drafted where.  The top 10 or so picks are at least becoming less opaque.  I think these are mostly the right names up top …

Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly to face his original team in outing vs. Rays without any hard feelings  —  DENVER - When the Diamondbacks rearranged their starting rotation last week, manager Torey Lovullo said they made sure things still lined up so right-hander Merrill Kelly would be able …

Cubs IF Bote has been playing with broken toe  —  CHICAGO — Cubs infielder David Bote has been playing with a broken left pinky toe ever since he was hit by a pitch in the first game of the season, he confirmed to ESPN on Sunday.  —  Bote indicated that it has been getting better since …

Rhys Hoskins' plate discipline on display in Phillies' 7-1 win over Nationals  —  Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins says it wasn't all patience that helped him draw two walks totaling 21 pitches against Washington starter Anibal Sanchez in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Nationals.

Real or not?  Padres have plenty of reasons to stay optimistic  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres played a terrific series over the weekend in San Diego, before crowds of 44,000-plus each game, with the Dodgers winning on Friday and Saturday with runs in the top of the ninth …