Big hits are already piling up in opening round of Stanley Cup playoffs

DENVER (AP) – The big hits always roll out this time of year. It’s just part of playoff hockey, especially in the tone-setting first round.

Dodgers Edwin Díaz will have elbow surgery and expected to miss 3 months

DENVER (AP) – Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow and is expected to miss about three months, the team announced Monday.

Blue Jays bus from Phoenix to Southern California after their charter plane is grounded

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – A mechanical issue with their charter plane forced the Toronto Blue Jays to bus from Phoenix to Southern California on Sunday night, a six-hour drive on a dark desert highway that got the team to its Orange County hotel at around 12:30 a.m.

Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. hit by pitches twice vs. Nationals and leaves game

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ronald Acuña Jr. left the Atlanta Braves’ game against Washington in the sixth inning after Nationals starter Jake Irvin hit him with a pitch for a second time Monday night.

Isaac Paredes powers slumping Astros to 9-2 victory over Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP) – Isaac Paredes hit his first two home runs of the season and Christian Walker also went deep as the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 9-2 on Monday night for just their third victory in 15 games.

Rookie Sal Stewart hits his 8th homer as Reds top Rays 6-1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Rookie Sal Stewart homered, doubled, stole a base and scored twice as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

Braves win 6th straight with 9-4 victory over Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) – Matt Olson had three RBIs, Bryce Elder struck out six in 6 2/3 innings and the Atlanta Braves won their sixth straight game with a 9-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

Mitchell scores 30, Harden adds 28 as Cavaliers beat Raptors 115-105 for 2-0 series lead

CLEVELAND (AP) – Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, James Harden added 28 and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for a 115-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Marlins halt Cardinals' winning streak with 5-3 victory

MIAMI (AP) – Agustín Ramírez homered and Max Meyer pitched effectively into the sixth inning to lead the Miami Marlins to a 5-3 victory over St. Louis on Monday night, snapping the Cardinals’ five-game winning streak.