LEADING OFF: Kershaw faces D-backs; Verlander vs Yankees  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors today:  —  ___  —  GOT YOUR NUMBER  —  Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) tries to slow down A.J. Pollock and the first-place Diamondbacks (20-8) in Arizona.

Billy Hamilton remains in Cincinnati Reds outfield rotation despite hitting woes  —  Despite all of his troubles reaching base throughout April, Billy Hamilton can rely on his defense to keep him in the lineup.  —  At least for now.  —  In his last 13 games (10 starts) …

Yankees: Tired of the suite life, Tyler Austin serves his suspension and returns to club  —  HOUSTON - Tyler Austin said he'd never been ejected from a game, let alone suspended for his actions on a baseball field.  —  So, “it's been a struggle, not being able to be out there and help the team …

Minnesota Twins try to get on track vs. Toronto Blue Jays  —  Nothing seems to be going right these days for the Minnesota Twins.  —  A loss Monday night to the Toronto Blue Jays was the Twins' 10th in their last 11 games — leaving Minnesota 2-11 since center fielder Byron Buxton went …

Mozeliak says don't look for Holland in ninth  —  ST. LOUIS  • After giving up three runs in the ninth inning on Friday night, struggling reliever Greg Holland doesn't figure to get any situations like that any time soon.  —  “I don't think he'll be used in the ninth inning at this time …

Yoenis Cespedes returns to Mets' lineup after jamming thumb on slide  —  New York Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes is back in the lineup two days after jamming his thumb on a headfirst slide into third base.  Cespedes suffered the injury in the third inning Sunday and left the Mets' 14-2 win over the San Diego Padres.

Braves top prospect Mike Soroka recalled to start Tuesday  —  The Atlanta Braves recalled their top pitching prospect to make Tuesday night's start against the New York Mets.  —  Right-hander Mike Soroka was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.  He had been 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA in four Triple-A starts.

Struggling Anthony Rizzo gets leadoff call for Cubs  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo will bat leadoff Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies after hitting just .149 with a .259 on-base percentage to start the season.  It's a move Maddon has tried in the past for struggling players.

Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks face off with sad injury news  —  PHOENIX — Somber was the word of the day here Monday.  —  The Diamondbacks placed left-hander Robbie Ray on the disabled list with a Grade 2 right oblique strain suffered in his Sunday start, an expected move.

With at-bats dwindling, could Nick Williams get sent down to triple-A Lehigh Valley?  —  MIAMI — As a prospect with the Texas Rangers and a big part of the Phillies' return in the Cole Hamels trade, outfielder Nick Williams has always been an everyday player.  —  This season, he has been mostly a spectator.

Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza … The Diamondbacks will send right-hander Sam McWilliams and lefty Colin Poche to the Tampa Bay Rays as the two players to be named later in the February trade that brought them outfielder Steven Souza Jr., sources said Tuesday.  —  Both are well-regarded prospects.

San Diego Padres' Tyson Ross hopes to beat hometown San Francisco Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Bay Area native Tyson Ross hopes to beat the San Francisco Giants for the second time this season Tuesday night when he attempts to help the San Diego Padres rebound from a tough loss in the opener of their three-game road series.

Mariners back home after successful trip, face A's  —  You know your team is rolling when its No. 9 hitter hits two home runs in a game.  —  That's the case for the Seattle Mariners, who just completed a 10-day trip to Texas, Chicago and Cleveland by going 7-3 with series wins over the Rangers …

Cubs' Laura Ricketts dedicates ball fields, announces plans for girls softball league  —  The Cubs donated funds to help remodel Winnemac Park's baseball and softball fields, where Amundsen High School plays its home games.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  A large Cubs donation to remodel Winnemac Park's baseball …

Akin, Joseph lead Bowie to 7-3 win over Erie  —  ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Corban Joseph hit a two-run single in the third inning, and Keegan Akin struck out 12 hitters over six innings as the Bowie Baysox beat the Erie SeaWolves 7-3 on Tuesday.  —  The single by Joseph, part of a four-run inning …

Gittens' home run leads Trenton over Portland in 8 innings  —  PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Chris Gittens hit a two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to help lead the Trenton Thunder to a 6-1 win over the Portland Sea Dogs in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Hughston's run leads Bradenton to 5-2 win over Dunedin  —  BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Casey Hughston scored on an error in the third inning to help the Bradenton Marauders secure a 5-2 victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays on Tuesday.  —  The error came in the midst of a five-run inning and gave the Marauders a 3-2 lead.

Morton, Astros end Yanks' 9-game win streak with 2-1 victory  —  Houston Astros' starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) throws against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Houston.  (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)