Pujols unhappy Angels coach Hatcher reveals hitters' meeting details  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Before the first game of each series, clubs routinely hold hitters' meetings to review scouting reports on the pitchers they'll be facing, and pitchers' meetings to go over the opposing team's lineup.

Decision day here on sinkerballer Cook  —  The Red Sox face a decision Tuesday regarding Aaron Cook.  —  The 33-year-old righthander can opt out of his contract if the team does not make room for him on the major league roster.  —  But with the starting rotation set for now …

Braun looking to settle into a rhythm  —  SAN DIEGO — At some point, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke expects left fielder Ryan Braun to settle into a rhythm.  So far, Braun's season has been a collection of streaks.  —  After an 0-for-5 Opening Day, the first hitless opener of Braun's career …

Rangers are majors' most balanced team  —  TORONTO  —  Statistically speaking, Josh Hamilton is Matt Kemp.  —  Entering Monday, here were Hamilton's Triple Crown numbers and rank in the American League: .395 average (second), nine home runs (first) and 25 RBI (first).

Butera promoted; Morneau could land on DL tonight  —  ANAHEIM, CALIF. — The Twins have promoted catcher Drew Butera from Class AAA Rochester.  He is on his way to Anaheim today and will be placed on the active roster before tonight's game.  —  The Twins will make a corresponding roster move before the game.

Cards activate Craig; designate Komatsu  —  ST. LOUIS — Following a seven-game rehabilitation assignment, Allen Craig has been activated from the disabled list and will be in St. Louis for the opening of the Cardinals' series against the Pirates on Tuesday.

In Latin America, New Fraud Models Emerge To Combat DNA Tests  —  In the early days of age fraud in the Dominican Republic, it wasn't difficult for a player to shave a few years off his age.  It was often as simple as changing the date on the birth certificate by hand.

Juan Nicasio Pitches Rockies Past Dodgers 6-2  —  DENVER (AP) — Juan Nicasio pitched six solid innings, Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run double and the Colorado Rockies overcame Matt Kemp's latest homer, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 Monday night in the first of 18 meetings this season between the NL West rivals.

Johnson has RBI single in 12th, gives Ray win  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Elliot Johnson hit an RBI single with one out in the 12th inning, giving the Tampa Bay Rays a 3-2, comeback victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.  —  Playing before a crowd of just 9,458 …

Sources: MLB eyeing end to annual rival series  —  HOUSTON — Major League Baseball is working on a scheduling reconfiguration for the 2013 season and beyond that likely will eliminate the Mets and Yankees as well as other “natural rivals” playing home-and-home, six-game series annually, baseball sources told ESPNNewYork.com.

Juan Carlos Oviedo's MLB ban will be eight weeks, not six  —  The news keeps getting worse for Marlins reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo, who continues to deal with the consequences of using a false identity.  —  Major League Baseball, which privately informed involved parties last month …

Rockies Mailbag: Is pitching help coming to Colorado?  —  Denver Post sports writers Troy E. Renck and Patrick Saunders post the Rockies Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2012 MLB season.  —  Would any know the Rockies record when wearing purple?  My impression is that it is overwhelmingly on the loss side.