Mets win second straight over Padres behind another strong Marcus Stroman start  —  SAN DIEGO — After losing their first two games, it was in doubt whether the Mets would depart from San Diego feeling good about a competitive four-game series.  But the Mets roared back …

Texas Rangers lacking ‘fight’ at the plate as losses mount |  Fort Worth Star-Telegram  —  Texas Rangers offense lacks ‘fight’ as losses mount and top NL opponents await  —  A rough patch for the Texas Rangers could be getting rougher.  —  The Rangers lost for the 11th time in their past 12 games …

MLB's enhanced plans for enforcement of foreign-substance rules being finalized, with June rollout pending, sources say  —  All Major League Baseball pitchers will be checked repeatedly and randomly for foreign substances by umpires under the plan being swiftly advanced — and perhaps implemented within the next 10 days to two weeks.

The Cubs are actually good!  So what should they do at the trade deadline?  —  The Chicago Cubs have exceeded preseason expectations so far in 2021.  Entering Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres (10 p.m. ET on ESPN), the Cubs are now seven games over .500 at 33-26 …

Seattle Mariners send slumping prospect Jarred Kelenic to minors  —  The Seattle Mariners optioned struggling rookie outfielder Jarred Kelenic, who is in an 0-for-39 slump, to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.  —  Kelenic, who is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in baseball according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel …

Can either of these teams win the AL East?  How Red Sox, Yankees are overachieving — and underachieving  —  Expectations are only expectations.  —  Coming into the 2021 MLB season, many baseball observers considered the American League East the New York Yankees' division to lose.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher John Means exits in first inning with injury  —  BALTIMORE — Orioles starting pitcher John Means left with two outs in the first inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians because of left shoulder fatigue on Saturday.  —  The left-hander allowed solo home runs …

Giants designate Scott Kazmir for assignment; veteran lefty mourning best friend's death  —  Scott Kazmir's second career comeback was one of the nicer stories in the first two months of the 2021 season, but the left-hander's time with the Giants might be over, and right during a tough time for Kazmir, who just lost his best friend.