D.J. Short / NBCSports.com:
MLB Power Rankings: NL Central teams climbing, Mets and Royals crashing  —  Featured in this week's MLB Power Rankings, the Braves and Padres keep winning, bunts are back, Mike Trout is also back, and things are getting ugly for the Mets and the Royals.  —  As a reminder, this article …

Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
Cubs manager Craig Counsell calls MLB's Shohei Ohtani rule ‘bizarre’  —  CHICAGO — While dealing with a cluster of injuries on his pitching staff, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell was asked for an explanation as to why clubs in these situations don't have additional roster flexibility.

MLB.com:
Royals release former top pick Lacy after slew of injuries  —  KANSAS CITY — The Royals released former first-round MLB Draft pick Asa Lacy on Monday, ending the 26-year-old's tenure in the organization after six injury-riddled years and just 80 career innings of affiliated baseball.

Jaylon Thompson / Kansas City Star:
A ‘chronic’ shoulder injury sidelines Jonathan India.  Here's how Royals will adjust  —  AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.  — Jonathan India was placed on the Royals' 10-day injured list.  — The Royals recalled utilityman Nick Loftin from Triple-A Omaha to provide depth.

Jim Salisbury / NBC Sports Philadelphia:
Rob Thomson sticks with Alec Bohm amid struggles on and off field  —  The third baseman endured a 2-for-29 homestand, dropping him to .139 on the season.  —  CHICAGO - Manager Rob Thomson considered giving Alec Bohm the night off as the Phillies began a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The Mets, Phillies and Astros have deeper problems than their managers.  That doesn't mean they're safe  —  Is there something in the air this season?  I don't know, but it sure seems like “The Curse of Samuel Joseph” might strike early.  —  Longtime readers are familiar with …

Michael Kelly / Associated Press:
Moniak and Karros homer as the Rockies beat the Dodgers 9-6  —  Mickey Moniak hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh, and the Colorado Rockies held on to beat Los Angeles 9-6 on Sunday and give the Dodgers' their first losing streak of the season.  Los Angeles won 11 of 13 before dropping the last two in Denver.

MLB.com:
'I'm better than I've ever been': Soroka's latest gem a testament to personal growth  —  PHOENIX — The Michael Soroka signing at last year's Winter Meetings didn't generate much buzz, but through four starts it's shaping up to be a masterstroke by Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen.

Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers' 1st 2-game skid comes in loss to Rockies  —  Blake Treinen and Edwin Diaz fail to record an out against eight batters as the Dodgers' bullpen lets a lead slip away in a 9-6 loss.  The Rockies rally from behind for the second straight day.  —  DENVER — During batting practice …

Eric Samulski / NBCSports.com:
Fantasy baseball streamers and arsenal changes for Reid Detmers, Spencer Arrighetti, and more  —  Welcome to your fantasy baseball starting pitcher happy place.  This is a new column for me this year that will combine a few things I've done in the past.  In this article, every Monday …

Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson rocked, Carroll exits early in Toronto rout  —  Nick Piecoro José M. RomeroArizona Republic  —  The Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte walked back toward the dugout and disgustedly flipped his helmet in the air.  He had just smoked his second batted ball of the day in excess of 110 mph to right field.

Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Royals' Salvator Perez, manager clear air about ‘mental breather’  —  NEW YORK — Royals captain Salvador Perez and manager Matt Quatraro said they were back on the same page Sunday after the catcher's social media post late Saturday caused drama between the team and one of its most beloved players.

David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Early MLB 2026 trade deadline preview for all 30 teams  —  It has been a chaotic start to the MLB season.  The Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, all playoff teams in 2025, have struggled and are each below .500.  The Blue Jays and Phillies entered Sunday …

Jaylon Thompson / Kansas City Star:
Royals' Salvador Perez calls disagreement with Matt Quatraro a misunderstanding  —  AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.  — Salvador Perez disputed Quatraro on X, Instagram, then walked back those comments Sunday.  — Quatraro said Perez's benching was to reduce preparation load, not suggest struggle.

Brian Dulik / Associated Press:
Guardians catcher Austin Hedges gets engaged on the field following game  —  Austin Hedges scored the first run of the game for the Guardians but had a bigger moment after the final out.  Hedges proposed to his girlfriend, Lexi Dickinson, on the field Sunday following Cleveland's 8-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.