An 11-run 2nd inning propels the Chicago White Sox to a 17-4 victory and series win vs. the Cincinnati Reds  —  CINCINNATI — Luis Robert Jr. began Sunday's second inning with a five-pitch walk.  —  It was an innocent start to a record-breaking inning for the Chicago White Sox.

Knicks are toast if Julius Randle doesn't get out of his playoff funk  —  MIAMI — The difference was there on Saturday.  Obvious to the eye.  —  Jimmy Butler, a competitor and clutch performer at his core, returning from an ankle injury, embracing and enjoying the moment, carrying the Miami Heat because victory was non-negotiable.

Dodgers, Padres expected to open 2024 in South Korea, source says  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are expected to open the 2024 season with a pair of games in South Korea, a source familiar with the process told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Sunday.

Mets fall under .500 as Doyle lifts Rockies to 13-6 win  —  NEW YORK — After spending about nine minutes Sunday absorbing questions about what's wrong with the skidding New York Mets, Buck Showalter boiled down the debate to a simple bottom line.  —  “What I'm concerned with is Ws and Ls,” Showalter said.

Royals pitcher Ryan Yarbrough out with head fractures after being hit in face  —  The Kansas City Royals placed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough on 15-day injured reserve for head fractures, the team announced via Twitter on Monday.  He was hurt after being hit by a line drive in Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics.

Yankees Notebook: Aaron Judge ready to return — and avoid headfirst slides  —  After a few days of hitting off machines, running and throwing behind the scenes, Aaron Judge is ready for the real thing.  —  The Yankees slugger is set to return from a right hip strain on Tuesday, he and Aaron Boone confirmed Monday.

Giants look like candidates for possible 2024 Field of Dreams game  —  “Is this heaven?”  —  “It's Alabama.”  —  The San Francisco Giants might be in for a heavenly time next season should they participate in the Field of Dreams game, a Major League Baseball showcase inspired by the classic 1989 baseball movie “Field of Dreams.”

A Reborn Team and a Star Who Never Wanted to Leave  —  Andrew McCutchen led the last successful era of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball.  The veteran outfielder is back and thriving — and so is the team.  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For a Pittsburgh Pirates fan born in the 1990s, childhood was an endless string of losing seasons.

Slumping Phillies try new lineup, and ‘it worked out’ in win  —  PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber homered after being dropped from leadoff to fifth in the batting order, and the Philadelphia Phillies stopped a six-game skid with a 6-1 victory over the Red Sox on Sunday that ended Boston's eight-game winning streak.

Nightengale's Notebook: Can MLB's most disappointing teams turn things around?  —  PHOENIX — Why is Aaron Boone still managing the last-place Yankees?  —  Hasn't Rob Thomson's expiration date come in Philadelphia?  —  Isn't it time to fire rookie manager Pedro Grifol and bring back Ozzie Guillen in Chicago?

Cardinals' Willson Contreras shifting to DH, outfielder: What it means for his playing time  —  Willson Contreras, who the Cardinals signed to a five-year, $87.5 million deal over the offseason, will not catch over the next couple of weeks for St. Louis.  Here's what you need to know: