Albert Almora Jr. batting leadoff as the Cubs look to start a new winning streak against the Marlins  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After blowing a lead in the ninth inning Monday night and losing 6-5, the Cubs hope to start a new winning streak against the Marlins.

Cleveland Indians announce Francisco Lindor, Jim Thome and Sandy Alomar Jr. as 2019 MLB All-Star Game ambassadors  —  When the MLB All-Star Game comes to Cleveland this summer, the Indians will be represented by a current All-Star and a pair of former All-Stars.

Snell shuts down D-Backs, Pham hits grand slam as Rays roll  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell took a perfect game into the sixth inning and Tommy Pham hit his first career grand slam, leading the Tampa Bay Rays over the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-1 on Monday night.

Paddack, Renfroe lead Padres over deGrom, Mets 4-0  —  Pumped-up rookie Chris Paddack struck out a career-high 11 to outduel NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, and Hunter Renfroe homered for the San Diego Padres in a 4-0 victory against the New York Mets on Monday night.

Angels manager aided Verlander's late-career effectiveness while with Tigers  —  Brad Ausmus remembers the conversation clearly.  —  In 2014, his first year managing the Detroit Tigers, he summoned ace starter Justin Verlander into his office and told him, “You may never throw 97 (mph) again.”

Cardinals notebook: Hurler Martinez next heads to Memphis  —  Carlos Martinez's first step toward his return from a shoulder ailment that flared up again in the spring was a six-pitch, three-up-and-down outing Sunday at Class A Peoria (Ill.).  His next several steps will be as a reliever …

As Yankees continue to answer the bell with the replacements, help is on the way  —  The day that Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Andujar went on the injured list within hours of each other, there was almost a consensus around baseball that was going to be the day the Yankees season went off the rails.

The journey of Cubs catcher Taylor Davis: From ‘mercy pick’ to getting snubbed by Cardinals to grand-slam heroics  —  Matt Davis answered the phone Monday at his office in Jupiter, Fla.  —  “Let me close the door,” he said.  —  Yes, this could take a while.

Brewers top road-weary, mistake-prone Nats  —  Ben Gamel had three hits and scored twice and Orlando Arcia added three hits with a run scored as the host Milwaukee Brewers beat the sleep-deprived and defensive-challenged Washington Nationals 5-3 on Monday.  —  The Nationals sat on the airport tarmac …

Source: Mac Williamson Called Up to Giants After Red-hot Start in Triple-A  —  SAN FRANCISCO — For a second straight year, Mac Williamson has forced the issue.  —  Williamson will join the Giants on Tuesday in Denver, NBC Sports Bay Area has learned.  The outfielder hit three homers Monday night, getting up to nine for the season.

Hudson to face Phillies as Fowler returns to lineup  —  Coming off his longest outing of the season, Dakota Hudson will face Philadelphia on Tuesday night when the Cardinals try to make it two in a row over the Phillies.  —  Hudson (2-2) pitched six innings at Washington …

Indians' Kluber hoping to return this season  —  CLEVELAND — Indians ace Corey Kluber is hopeful he will be able to come back from a broken right arm and pitch again this season.  —  The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner spoke Tuesday for the first time since he was struck …

Bees circle, Senzel homers twice as Reds swarm Giants 12-4  —  CINCINNATI (AP) Bees swarmed home plate.  A rookie hit two homers.  A third baseman wound up pitching.  Reds batters got plunked at a record rate in a lopsided win.  —  Bruce Bochy sure has some memories from his final game at Great American Ball Park.

Springer, Correa, Chirinos homer, Astros beat Royals 6-4  —  George Springer opened the first with his 11th home run of the season, including three leadoff drives.  He added an RBI double in the eighth.  —  HOUSTON (AP) - George Springer, Carlos Correa and Robinson Chirinos each homered …

Former Virginia ace Derek Casey fires 7 perfect innings in South Bend Cubs' no-hitter  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Derek Casey earned the distinction of being the Friday night starter as the University of Virginia ace last season, and he showed Monday night that he's capable of big things for the Cubs' Class A South Bend affiliate.

CC Sabathia's dream retirement: Yankees front office, podcast and no ‘f-king stupid’ suits  —  At the location of his still relatively new part-time job, CC Sabathia is his usual chill self.  He is sitting in the green room at ESPN's plush South Street Seaport studios, dressed casually with a black cap, shirt untucked and sneakers.

Red Sox should have made the call before Alex Cora to avoid Trump's White House  —  SportsPulse: C.C. Sabathia has likely punched his ticket to Cooperstown after eclipsing 3,000 strikeouts.  MLB Insider Bob Nightengale looks at the current players that are also locks to be future Hall of Famers.