Franco's on-base streak ties Mantle  —  BOSTON — Wander Franco swung at the first pitch he saw from Chris Sale on Monday afternoon, launched it off the center-field fence, hustled to third base and ran into some legendary company when he arrived.  —  The 20-year-old shortstop's one-out triple …

Mets promote top prospect Mark Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse: sources  —  Mark Vientos is movin' on up.  —  The Mets promoted the third baseman, their No. 6 overall prospect, to Triple-A Syracuse, sources told the Daily News on Monday.  —  Vientos, 21, crushed 22 home runs and slashed .281/.346/.580 …

Tigers' Jimenez, Lombard test positive for COVID-19; 3 others out for contact tracing  —  Pittsburgh — COVID-19 has jumped up and bit the Tigers.  —  Reliever Joe Jimenez and bench coach George Lombard both tested positive for the virus, even though both have been vaccinated.

Atlanta Braves sign Charlie Morton to one-year, $20 million extension  —  The Atlanta Braves signed right-hander Charlie Morton to a one-year, $20 million extension Monday.  —  The contract includes a one-year, $20 million club option for 2023 that doesn't include a buyout.

New York Yankees place setup man Jonathan Loaisiga on 10-day IL with strained rotator cuff  —  The New York Yankees placed setup man Jonathan Loaisiga on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained right rotator cuff.  —  Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Loaisiga will not throw for at least 10 days.

Nats stop Mets' 6-game win streak, end own skid with split  —  WASHINGTON — Lane Thomas and Alcides Escobar homered as the Washington Nationals ended a seven-game skid, beating the Mets 4-3 Saturday night to split a doubleheader and stop New York's six-game winning streak.

Tom Brady had COVID-19, believes virus will be a bigger problem in 2021  —  The Bucs quarterback, who is vaccinated, thinks the virus is “going to play more of a factor this year.”  —  TAMPA ― The Bucs are 100 percent vaccinated, and yes, that means quarterback Tom Brady.

Dodgers lose to Giants in 11 innings to open showdown series  —  SAN FRANCISCO — At this rate, the Dodgers and Giants will reach the end of the weekend like a pair of punched-out prizefighters, unable to raise their arms to do more than cuff the other one gently across the cheek.

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross, president Jed Hoyer test positive for COVID-19  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs manager David Ross and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer have tested positive for COVID-19.  —  A spokesperson for the team said Ross and Hoyer are feeling fine and quarantining.