Starlin Castro's space cadet routine draws Bobby V's ire  —  Over the course of a season, I'm guessing it's an impossible task for any player outside of the battery to be 100 percent dialed into every pitch of a 162-game season.  The mind can wander, the mind can zone out, the mind can see something without seeing anything.

Red Sox's Ellsbury out again; likely in Tuesday  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was not in the lineup Monday night for the third consecutive game due to a bruised back, but he's expected to return on Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona.

A.J. Burnett spot in question  —  NEW YORK — With A.J. Burnett having his “typical terrible August,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the pitcher's five-year, $82.5 million contract will not prevent him from being dropped from the rotation.  —  “No, money is never going to be a factor,” Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com.

Mets broach Mike Pelfrey to bullpen, R.A. Dickey gets little support as Mets fall to Brewers, 6-2  —  Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey gives up two runs on six hits Sunday.  The Mets ask Mike Pelfrey (below) is he would be open to closing next year - an indictment of the current bullpen.

Timetable for Duncan's return unknown  —  CHICAGO — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak could not say whether pitching coach Dave Duncan would rejoin the club in time for tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Dodgers.  —  Duncan left the club Friday night for personal reasons.

Verlander Wins 19th, Tigers Beat Rays 5-2  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander became the first 19-game winner in the majors, Alex Avila hit his 15th homer and the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 on Monday night.  —  Verlander (19-5) …

Lee goes seven, Mayberry and Pence homer as Phillies rock Mets  —  PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Lee threw seven sharp innings, John Mayberry Jr. and Hunter Pence each hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 10-0 Monday night.  —  The Phillies rocked Dillon Gee (11-5) to earn their major league-best 82nd win.

Brewers Extend Mastery of Pirates in DH Opener  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Narveson pitched shutout ball and knocked in two runs after coming off the disabled list, leading the streaking Milwaukee Brewers to an 8-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opening game of a doubleheader Monday.

Strasburg returns to form in rehab start … HAGERSTOWN — On the heels of perhaps the worst outing of his brief professional career, Stephen Strasburg returned to form Monday night with three solid innings of work in his latest rehab start.  —  Strasburg allowed two runs (one earned) …

Gutierrez's sacrifice fly in 9th lifts Mariners  —  CLEVELAND—Franklin Gutierrez lifted a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Seattle Mariners scored the go-ahead run without getting a hit to beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2.  —  The Indians, swept by AL Central-leading Detroit …

Nationals beat punchless Diamondbacks 4-1  —  WASHINGTON — Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer, Ross Detwiler took a four-hitter into the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals beat Arizona 4-1 Monday night to extend the Diamondbacks' losing streak to a season-high six games.

Mattingly splits Ethier, Kemp in lineup  —  ST. LOUIS — Determined to keep Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp as his Nos. 3 and 4 hitters since the season started, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly finally relented Monday and shook things up.  —  Mattingly dropped Ethier to fifth …

Heath Bell, Carlos Pena, Kubel Placed On Waivers  —  Heath Bell, Jason Kubel, and Carlos Pena were placed on trade waivers today, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Rosenthal tweeted earlier about Jim Thome being placed, also.  The placement on waivers starts a 48 hour period during which teams can put in claims.

Weaver signs five-year extension with Angels  —  The Angels secured a big part of their present and future on Sunday, signing All-Star starter Jered Weaver to a five-year, $85 million contract, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com.  —  The extension will be announced in a news conference Tuesday …