A month ago, Josh Hamilton was in baseball limbo, waiting for the Angels to decide his fate, and the Rangers were in their own version of purgatory as they plunged to the bottom of the standings. A month can be a long time in baseball, though.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly staunchly defended his team’s offense Sunday, after another day in which that offense didn’t produce enough to win.

Rockies left-hander Chris Rusin replaced injured starter Jordan Lyles and held the Phillies scoreless for 4 2/3 innings of a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre will miss at least two weeks and likely go on the 15-day disabled list after he left Sunday’s game against the Red Sox in the fifth inning, injuring his left thumb on a slide into second base.

Stephen Vogt launched a one-out, two-run homer into the right-field seats to snap a scoreless duel between Jesse Chavez and Adam Warren in the sixth inning as the A’s took three of four from the visiting Yankees with a 3-0 win at the Coliseum on Sunday.

Justin Verlander had a healthy arm by all indications in his rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Sunday afternoon. He did not, however, have his command, allowing six hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings at Indianapolis.

If Twins manager Paul Molitor had his way, May would never end. “It’s May 31st and I think maybe we’re going to change tomorrow to May 32nd,” Molitor joked shortly after his team recorded its 20th victory of the month. The Twins capped off May with a 6-5 victory over Toronto on Sunday, marking the first time they’ve finished a month with 20 victories since 1991.

The Blue Jays might be struggling, but it’s certainly not the fault of Josh Donaldson who has done everything possible to put the team on his back for the past two weeks.

Bartolo Colon’s seven strong innings, second career extra-base hit and third RBI of the season on Sunday helped the Mets take the finale of their three-game series against the Marlins, 4-3, at Citi Field. Colon became the National League’s first eight-game winner.

As members of Oscar Taveras’ family took the field for a ceremony to honor the late Cardinals outfielder before Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Dodgers, the pitcher who dons Taveras’ No. 18 as a permanent tribute to his best friend started to throw his warmup pitches in the bullpen.

For a second straight day, the Reds’ bats came alive late to complete a three-game series sweep of the Nationals, 8-2, on Sunday at Great American Ball Park. It was only the second time this season the Reds swept an opponent and the first time since April 24-26 that the Nationals were swept.

Right-hander Ricky Nolasco left his start against the Blue Jays in the second inning of the Twins’ 7-6 win due to a sore right ankle on Sunday. He is listed as day to day and underwent an MRI exam during the game, but the results likely won’t be released until Monday.

Bartolo Colon’s third hit of the season was unlike either of the previous two, screaming up the middle in the second inning of the Mets’ 4-3 win over the Marlins on Sunday. Because center fielder Ichiro Suzuki was playing so close to home plate and shaded toward right field, the line drive — which left Colon’s bat at 96 mph, as tracked by Statcast™ — scooted past him and rolled to the wall for an RBI double.

The Orioles announced a change to the rehab plans for catcher Matt Wieters, who will catch Bud Norris on Tuesday at Triple-A rather than going behind the plate on Monday and Wednesday. The All-Star catcher may make his season debut Thursday as the DH.

After he missed one start because of right elbow stiffness, Reds ace Johnny Cueto appeared ready to return to the rotation. Cueto is expected to pitch in Tuesday’s series opener vs. the Phillies in Philadelphia following a successful side bullpen session on Sunday morning at Great American Ball Park.

Jose Fernandez and Jarred Cosart will not be the only Marlins starters on the disabled list throwing on Monday. Mat Latos also is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in what is shaping up as a busy day at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla.

Nori Aoki or Angel Pagan? In the most recent All-Star ballot update, the two Giants outfielders rank fourth and fifth among National League outfielders. Both are deserving candidates, but the question is, if push came to shove and you had to take one or the other to start the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati, which way would you go?