How Mets made decision to let Yoenis Cespedes play Monday against Reds  —  CINCINNATI — They tried to be as careful as they could with Yoenis Cespedes on Monday.  The Mets trainers took him out on the field and tested his quad any way they could in the afternoon, before Mickey Callaway penciled …

Red Sox OF Mookie Betts, Meghan Markle share ancestors, report says  —  Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts and actress Meghan Markle — soon to be a member of the Royal Family — could be distant relatives, according to a report by The Boston Globe.  —  Betts and Markle, who is to wed Prince Harry …

Cubs crush Marlins 14-2  —  Chicago snaps 5-game losing streak  —  CHICAGO - Ian Happ homered from both sides of the plate, and the Chicago Cubs stopped a five-game slide by routing the Miami Marlins 14-2 on Monday night.  —  The Cubs collected 15 hits after scoring three or fewer runs in 10 of the previous 11 games.

Lincecum makes rehab appearance with Rangers' Triple-A team  —  ROUND ROCK, Texas (AP) — Tim Lincecum made his first rehab appearance with the Texas Rangers' Triple-A team on Monday night, 21 months after his last big league start.  —  Lincecum allowed two runs and struck out two while pitching …

Doctors say White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar, who suffered a brain aneurysm during game, could be able to pitch again … Good news continues to surface regarding Danny Farquhar, the White Sox reliever who suffered a brain hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Los Angeles Dodgers host MLB-leading Arizona Diamondbacks  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks have the best record in the National League, have not lost a series all season and could end up playing the revenge card when they open a brief two-game series at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

Wong is helping volcano victims  —  Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong often has been said to wear his emotions on his sleeve.  Now, he truly is.  —  When Wong, a Hawaiian native, goes to bat these days, he is wearing a rainbow-colored sleeve on his right arm.

Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays struggle to rise above mediocre  —  Breaking even is about the best the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays have been able to do lately.  —  The Mariners will visit the Blue Jays for a three-game series starting Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre after going 3-3 during a six-game homestand.

Herrera powers Phillies past Giants 11-0  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Odubel Herrera homered twice and drove in five runs, helping Zach Eflin and the Philadelphia Phillies rout the San Francisco Giants 11-0 on Monday night.  —  Carlos Santana and Cesar Hernandez also connected for Philadelphia, which had dropped six of eight.

Next Slide  —  At Globe Life Park on Monday in Arlington, Texas.  —  What happened: The Detroit Tigers lost to the Texas Rangers, 7-6.  Michael Fulmer was brilliant early, throwing five innings of one-run baseball.  Then came the sixth inning, where his night — and the Tigers' night — went awry.

Astros may have the ‘nastiest’ rotation ever - and thanks to Trevor Bauer, they're mad, too  —  PHOENIX - If Trevor Bauer's intent was to demean, question the integrity of or simply shame the Houston Astros' pitching staff, it has backfired.  —  Now, the starting unit dominating baseball …

CC you later?  Sabathia thinking retirement if Yankees win World Series this season  —  At 37, New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia has a retirement plan in mind.  —  Sabathia told The New York Post that he likely will retire if the Yankees win the World Series this year.

Padres move Mitchell to bullpen, option Makita to Triple-A  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres moved struggling right-hander Bryan Mitchell to the bullpen Monday and optioned reliever Kazuhisa Makita to Triple-A El Paso.  —  San Diego also reinstated reliever Matt Strahm from the 10 …

Nationals reinstate Kelley from DL, option Bautista  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Washington Nationals have reinstated right-hander Shawn Kelley from the 10-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Rafael Bautista to Triple-A Syracuse.  —  Kelley returns to the Nationals after missing 12 games with right elbow irritation.

Mendick's homer leads Birmingham to 9-6 win over Pensacola  —  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Danny Mendick hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning, leading the Birmingham Barons to a 9-6 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday.  —  Jake Johansen got C.J. McElroy to ground …

Pena, Thaiss spur Mobile to 5-0 win over Mississippi  —  PEARL, Miss. (AP) — Matt Thaiss doubled and singled, and Luis Pena allowed just two hits over five innings as the Mobile BayBears defeated the Mississippi Braves 5-0 on Monday.  —  Pena (1-3) struck out five and walked two to pick up the win.

Romero leads Twins past Cardinals 6-0 for 4th straight win  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fernando Romero struck out nine in six innings in his second straight scoreless start to begin his major league career, leading the Minnesota Twins over the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Monday night.