Return of Fernando Tatis Jr. could be a momentum-changer for struggling San Diego Padres  —  PHOENIX — The struggling San Diego Padres tried to convince everyone that Fernando Tatis Jr. wasn't coming off the injured list, and learning a new position on the fly, just to save their season.

The Honus Wagner T206 is the sports card GOAT, and it always will be  —  Nearly 100,000 people flooded onto the floor of the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention in suburban Chicago, all jostling for space while peering into glass cases.  Some were there to buy, shelling out anywhere …

Dodgers star Trevor Bauer, on leave amid assault probe, was subject of previous protection order  —  Trevor Bauer, the star Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher under investigation for alleged sexual assault in California, was the subject of a temporary order of protection sought by a different woman last year …

2021 Midseason MLB Organization Talent Rankings  —  A lot has changed since we last rolled out Organization Talent Rankings before the 2021 season.  There's been another draft, a very busy trade deadline, a lot of graduations and most importantly, three months of minor league action …

Yankees name Gerrit Cole starter for Monday game vs. Angels  —  CHICAGO — Gerrit Cole will start for the Yankees on Monday against the Angels.  The right-hander has been on the COVID-19 injury list since Aug. 3, but rejoined the team on Thursday in Iowa and said he is ready to go.

Diamondbacks' Tyler Gilbert throws no-hitter in first career start  —  The ball left Eric Hosmer's bat at 96 mph and appeared ticketed for center field when Diamondbacks left-hander Tyler Gilbert snatched it out of the air.  It was one of many balls the San Diego Padres scorched on Saturday night …

New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton to manager Aaron Boone: Remove me from closer role  —  CHICAGO — New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton told manager Aaron Boone to remove him from his current role as the team's closer after his latest blown save of the season.

Mets drubbed 14-4 as Dodgers finish off series sweep  —  On the 56th anniversary of the Beatles' famous concert at Shea Stadium, it was the Mets who needed help.  —  They needed somebody to help them figure out Max Scherzer, the Dodgers' (72-46) recent acquisition who stifled the Mets (59-58) en route to a 14-4 Los Angeles victory.

The end of tanking?  How to make every MLB team try to win every year  —  Editor's note: From rising strikeout totals and unwritten-rules debates to connecting with a new generation of fans and a looming labor battle, baseball is at a crossroads.  As MLB faces these challenges …

Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants agree to $32M extension through 2023 season  —  The San Francisco Giants and shortstop Brandon Crawford have agreed to a two-year, $32 million contract extension, the team announced Friday.  —  The extension, which has a base salary of $16 million for each season, runs through the 2023 season.