White Sox manager Robin Ventura declared Chris Sale the best American League pitcher earlier this season, and the left-hander has done nothing to alter that opinion since the All-Star break.

Ian Kinsler started off the Tigers’ series against the Twins with a blast, and powered his way into the team’s record books as a result. His seventh leadoff home run this season Monday night tied the Tigers’ franchise record set by Curtis Granderson.

Brian Dozier reached an impressive milestone against the Tigers on Monday, as the second baseman became only the second Twins player and third in franchise history to reach 40 homers in a season, joining Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew and Roy Sievers of the Washington Senators.

Center fielder and leadoff hitter Trea Turner is one of the reasons the Nationals are in first place in the National League East. He is the one that makes the offense click. Entering Monday’s action, Turner was hitting .343 with eight home runs, 30 RBIs and a team-leading 23 stolen bases in just 54 games.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes, who has been sidelined since July 17 with a separated right shoulder, is continuing an injury rehab assignment with Double-A Akron.

After facing four teammates during a 26-pitch batting-practice session on Monday, Michael Wacha left the field encouraged by how he felt during what might have been his final test before a return from the disabled list. Wacha, who was placed on the DL with a stress reaction in his right shoulder on Aug. 9, hopes to be activated on Wednesday. At that time he would rejoin the Cardinals as a bullpen option.

Danny Salazar underwent an MRI in Cleveland on Monday followed by an examination with Dr. Mark Schickendantz. He was diagnosed with a mild strain to his flexor musculature and his timeframe for return to game activity is three to four weeks.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister had rave reviews for reliever Tanner Scheppers’ work on Sunday against the Angels.

Jacob deGrom’s return to the Mets may happen imminently — and in an unfamiliar role. Should deGrom’s sore right forearm respond well to the 35-pitch bullpen session that he threw Monday at Nationals Park, the right-hander could appear as a reliever as soon as this week.

As the Cardinals open a series against the rival Cubs on Monday, they expect to be without closer Seung Hwan Oh, who has been bothered by soreness in his groin since his outing on Friday.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was scratched from the starting lineup on Monday as he was with his fiancé, who gave birth to their son, Johan Salvador.

Twelve years later, Dave Roberts still hears about the stolen base. Red Sox fans love him for it. Yankee fans do not, even after all these years.

The Pirates will be without their leadoff-hitting second baseman the rest of the season, as Josh Harrison was diagnosed Monday with a right groin strain.

Wally Backman’s contentious seven-year run as a Mets Minor League coach and manager came to an end on Monday. General manager Sandy Alderson announced that Backman resigned from his post, though multiple reports indicated that the Mets dismissed him.

Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 4.76 ERA) will start Thursday in the Tigers’ series finale against the Twins, manager Brad Ausmus said Monday.

The Rangers learned their lesson well. After back-to-back American League titles in 2010 and 2011 and the only World Series appearances in the history of a franchise that began as the expansion Senators in 1961, the Rangers saw how quickly opportunity could slip away.

The Pirates struggled through a disappointing week, but the return of a powerful and productive Jung Ho Kang served as a silver lining amid their slide down the National League Wild Card standings.