Jason Heyward blitzed with alleged N-word taunts from Cardinals fans in return to St. Louis  —  Jason Heyward's return to St. Louis was marred with racial slurs.  —  In addition to booing, crowd mics picked up multiple Cardinals fans allegedly yelling the N-word at the new Chicago Cubs right fielder …

First two weeks of Royals' season is about baseball, not beanballs  —  Royals reach same point in season as a year ago in first place but things are different  —  In first two weeks last year, Royals hitters had been plunked 14 times, none so far this season

The rise and fall of Rafael Palmeiro … He's sitting with a North Carolina State hat dipped downward.  He's aged well.  Still handsome, the black mustache of his playing days is gone, replaced with a salt-and-pepper beard.  When he stands up, his shoulders are muscular, and he looks a decade younger than 51.

Games of Monday, April 18th  —  Prospect of the Day:  —  Ian Happ, 2B, Chicago Cubs (High-A Myrtle Beach): 4-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, SB, K.  —  Oh nothing, Happ just added over 300 points to his OPS in one night, no big deal.  The long balls were the first two of the season, and he did all of his damage hitting left-handed.

Bryce Harper's gets 100th home run ball back thanks to former Make-a-Wish recipient  —  The 10-year-old was happy to return the ball to the Nationals' slugger.  —  Ricky Doyle / NESN.com / Yardbarker  —  It's not uncommon for baseball players and their teams to want to retrieve …

Jacob deGrom's son out of hospital; pitcher throwing  —  PHILADELPHIA — Right-hander Jacob deGrom's week-old son was discharged from a Florida hospital on Monday, and deGrom could return to the New York Mets' rotation as soon as next weekend at Atlanta, manager Terry Collins said.

Arizona Diamondbacks rally for victory in extra innings over San Francisco Giants … SAN FRANCISCO - More than 4 1/2 hours of baseball and it was well worth it for Jake Lamb and the Arizona Diamondbacks.  —  Lamb hit a tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning and doubled home …

Fried's off to good start in comeback from Tommy John surgery  —  Left-hander Max Fried was the first pitcher taken in the draft when he came out of high school in Southern California in 2012 and 2 1/2 years later, he was the centerpiece of the haul of prospects the Braves acquired in the Justin Upton trade on Dec. 19, 2014.

Rangers-Astros rivalry finally showing spurs in Silver Boot series  —  First of 19 meetings is Tuesday at Globe Life Park  —  Rangers 13-6 vs. Astros in 2015  —  Astros coming off their first series win of season  —  The 2000 season was the last time the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros …

Postgame notes: Tanaka's fastball jumps in season's best start  —  286 Shares  —  Masahiro Tanaka was laughing, and translator Shingo Horie insisted the Yankees' ace was only kidding when he explained what made the biggest difference in today's game.  —  “Jokingly,” Horie said.  “Weather.

Pablo Sandoval's shoulder too sore for full exam by Dr. Andrews  —  The mystery involving Pablo Sandoval's sudden left shoulder injury has not become any clearer, despite the third baseman's visit to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Florida today.  —  Sandoval's shoulder was evidently …

Rain postpones Rangers-Orioles game Sunday  —  Series finale rescheduled for June 20 Monday forecast not ideal for make-up Holland could be pushed to Houston series  —  ARLINGTON  —  Rain showers that are falling at Globe Life Park and expected to fall throughout the day and into Monday forced …