The Royals and the Rays played in rain for 3 1/2 innings at Kauffman Stadium, with Kansas City taking a 1-0 lead before being stopped by rain. The infield was fixed up and looked playable, but then the snowfall began with the temperature down to 37 degrees.

The Phillies looked lifeless for much of the first 28 games of the season, which actually is pretty easily explainable. They entered Thursday’s game against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park ranked 26th in baseball in scoring, averaging 3.57 runs per game. It is nearly impossible to look energetic or lively when nobody is on base or scoring runs.

A challenging first month of the schedule that included 20 games in 20 days — a rarity for April — shouldn’t have the Reds relaxing as much as licking their wounds. Cincinnati has already placed seven players on the disabled list, including ace Johnny Cueto.

Nine out of 10 Americans can tell you that illegal steroid usage is a major problem. But most of them believe that the epidemic begins and ends in professional sports without considering the rest of society. That finding was the main conclusion from the first survey designed to measure the public perception of illegal steroid use in the U.S.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association on Thursday announced a combined $100,000 donation to the POINTWEST Bank Fund to assist victims of the April 17 catastrophe in West, Texas, that claimed 15 lives and injured 200 others.

As expected, the Astros recalled pitchers Jordan Lyles and Dallas Keuchel from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, with Lyles set to start Thursday night’s game against the Tigers at Minute Maid Park.

Alex Rodriguez has been cleared to begin baseball activities, and the three-time American League MVP Award winner said he is “really excited” to join the star-studded assortment of rehabbing players at the Yankees’ Florida training complex next week.

Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disable list on Thursday with a right oblique strain.

Chase Headley said that he “loves playing in San Diego” and was flattered to hear that ownership wants to keep him long-term, but he doesn’t want to negotiate an extension during the season.

The Nationals got a look at their full complement of outfielders for a few innings on Thursday, as Jayson Werth started in right field and batted fourth. The look lasted until the top of the fifth, when Werth exited because of tightness in his hamstring.

Trevor Bauer was erratic, but effective, in helping guide the Indians to a 6-0 victory, sealing a sweep of this abbreviated two-game Interleague set with Philadelphia at Progressive Field.

Clay Buchholz continued his hot start to the season, throwing seven innings of two-hit scoreless ball, while Mike Napoli crushed two of the Red Sox’s five homers to dispose of the Blue Jays, 10-1, in front of 21,094 at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.

The Nationals started May by getting something they hadn’t seen in a while, a home run, and something they’ve seen quite often, a well-pitched game from Jordan Zimmermann, to beat the Braves, 2-0, on Wednesday night at Turner Field.

C.J. Wilson hurled a quality start and picked up a win in the series finale against the A’s on Wednesday, giving up two runs in 6 1/3 innings while helping the Angels notch a much-needed 5-4 victory at the Oakland Coliseum.

Bryce Harper left Wednesday night’s game with an apparent injury to his upper body following an at-bat in the sixth inning.

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz extended his career-high hitting streak to 22 games, which dates back to July 2 of last season, with a double off Blue Jays starter Mark Buehrle to lead off the sixth inning of Wednesday’s contest.

Matt Garza threw 2 2/3 innings Wednesday in a rehab start for Double-A Tennessee and will make at least two more Minor League starts before the team decides whether he’s ready to return.