Sources: Sale expected to avoid Tommy John  —  Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale will miss the remainder of the regular season with a left elbow injury but is expected to avoid Tommy John surgery after a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews confirmed a previous diagnosis of inflammation, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.

Nationals continue onslaught with 4 HRs, pound Pirates 13-0  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Nationals are on a hot streak at the plate that defies explanation.  —  “If anyone knew the answer to that, they could write a book and make millions of dollars,”  —  Adam Eaton said.  —  The onslaught continued Monday night when

Braves Claim Billy Hamilton  —  The Braves have claimed outfielder Billy Hamilton off waivers from the Royals, per a club announcement.  The Atlanta organization will be responsible for the remainder of Hamilton's $5.25MM salary along with a $1MM buyout on a mutual option.

Mets' Alonso sets NL rookie mark with 40th HR  —  New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 40th home run of the season Sunday to set the National League rookie record for home runs in a season.  —  Alonso homered to left field in the ninth inning.  The 418-foot blast off …

Detroit Tigers bullpen collapses in 2nd straight walk-off loss to Rays  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Ji-Man Choi's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth completed a rally from a late three-run deficit and gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

Iowa Cubs manager says Ben Zobrist could be in Des Moines this weekend  —  A look at the Iowa Cubs' 2019 season  —  Ben Zobrist wasn't with the Iowa Cubs when the team began a seven-game home-stand at Principal Park on Monday.  —  But he could be by the end of the week.

Cubs Option David Bote  —  The Cubs have optioned utility man David Bote to Triple-A, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times was among those to tweet.  It seems that's the roster move to make way for the return of righty Steve Cishek.  —  Bote, 26, has been a constant presence …

D-backs avoid sweep, top Giants in Bochy's Arizona farewell  —  PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks desperately needed a win to avoid falling further behind in the race for a National League wild-card berth, and a pitcher who hadn't won at home in 2 1/2 months delivered.

Trying to explain why the Rays are better on the road  —  Rays Tales: “I don't think it's just by chance that's happening,” says Charlie Morton.  Plus the usual rumblings.  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays don't have any explanations for why they've done so much worse this season at the Trop than on the road.