Avilan injures left hamstring delivering a pitch

Braves reliever Luis Avilan left Tuesday night’s game after delivering a pitch in the ninth inning of Atlanta’s 6-3 win over the Royals. The left-hander grabbed his left leg and fell to the ground while throwing a pitch, with the Braves later saying Avilan sustained a hamstring strain and cramping. He’ll be reevaluated on Wednesday.

Bay Area native Norris out to deny A’s sweep

The Astros still have time to turn the ship around, to bump the A’s right back and signal their sturdiness as they attempt to earn their stripes in the American League West. The turnaround can’t start soon enough. Bud Norris is on the hill opposite fellow righty Bartolo Colon and the A’s in a Wednesday matinee at the O.co Coliseum.

For Yanks, losing Cano not worth the risk

Yes, Robinson Cano is 30 and will be 31 at the start of his next contract. Yes, he plays second base, a position that seems to see more than its share of drastic declines. Anything else? Because if those are the counterarguments, they shouldn’t be enough to keep the Yankees from retaining the star slugger.