Pirates’ Jordy Mercer collects two hits Sunday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:58 pm ET) Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer went 2 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored in his team’s 10-2 win over the Brewers Sunday.

Mercer got the day off Saturday and came back with his first multihit game of the season. He was moved up to the No. 2 spot in the lineup Sunday with the team resting leadoff hitter Josh Harrison. Mercer is 5 for 18 with two walks, two RBIs and two runs in five games.

Nationals’ Denard Span nears rehab assignment
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:55 pm ET) Nationals outfielder Denard Span is set to play seven innings in extended spring training, and he’s close to going on a rehab assignment, the Washington Post reports.

Span is a “full go” while running, which had been a problem before surgery to his core muscle. H’ll likely spend a few weeks on assignment before making a return in early May.

Twins’ Brian Dozier batting .200 with one HR through six games
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:53 pm ET) Twins second baseman Brian Dozier carries a three-game hit streak into Monday’s game against the Royals. His modest hit streak started Friday against the White Sox, when he had his first home run and multihit game (2 for 6) this season.

Dozier is batting .200 (5 for 25) with one double, two runs, no walks and four strikeouts through six games.

Red Sox activate Koji Uehara; keep Ross over Layne in bullpen
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:49 pm ET) The Red Sox optioned reliever Tommy Layne to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday to clear a roster spot for closer Koji Uehara, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list. Uehara missed the first week of games due to a hamstring injury he suffered late in spring training.

Manager John Farrell said the decision to demote Layne over Robbie Ross came down to Ross being available for Monday’s game against the Nationals. Layne pitched four times since Opening Day, including Sunday against the Yankees.

Nationals’ Anthony Rendon making progress
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:48 pm ET) Nationals manager Matt Williams said Monday that third baseman Anthony Rendon is making progress in his recovery from an MCL sprain.

Rendon did some throwing and took some dry swings Sunday, progressing from the side-to-side drills he began Friday. He remains without a timetable for return from the disabled list.

Cardinals’ Jhonny Peralta hitting .406 against Matt Garza
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:44 pm ET) Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta has posted a .406 batting average with one home run and four RBI in 32 career at-bats against Monday starter Matt Garza.

Peralta has jumped out to a hot start this season, picking up hits in each of his first five games and slugging his first home run of the season Sunday. He has hit .333/.364/.571 in 21 at-bats over the first week of play.

The Cardinals are heavy favorites (-180) for Monday’s home opener against the Brewers, per VegasInsider.com.

Giants 3B Casey McGehee (knee) remains sidelined Monday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:39 pm ET) Giants third baseman Casey McGehee is not in the starting lineup for Monday’s home opener against the Rockies.

McGehee was diagnosed with a bone bruise on his left knee Sunday and is set to miss a few games while getting treatment, so his absence Monday doesn’t come as a surprise.

The Giants are favorites (-135) for Monday’s home opener.

Rockies’ Arenado racking up extra-base hits early in season
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:33 pm ET) Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is 9 for 24 with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in his first six games of the season, giving him a .375/.423/.792 line after one week of play.

Arenado hit fifth in each of his team’s first three games of the season, but he appeared twice in the third spot of the lineup in this weekend’s series against the Cubs. After opening the season with a five-game hitting streak, he went 0 for 4 in Sunday’s 6-5 loss.

Athletics 1B Ike Davis doing well starting against RHPs
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:29 pm ET) Ike Davis started five of the first seven games at first base for the Athletics. The only two games he didn’t start were when a left-hander was on the hill. Mark Canha started both of those games at first base for Oakland.

Davis is batting .316 (6 for 19) with three doubles, four runs, four RBI, four walks and five strikeouts in six games. All four of his RBI came during a 12-0 win against the Mariners on Friday.

Mets drop Juan Lagares in batting order
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(12:27 pm ET) Mets manager Terry Collins is dropping center fielder Juan Lagares one spot in the batting order. 

Lagares was a candidate for the leadoff spot in spring training, but he opened the season in the six hole in the order. After opening the season with a .160 average and six strikeouts in 25 at bats, Lagares will bat seventh on Monday. 

“If he continues to swing the bat like he can, he’ll be in the leadoff spot,” Collins said, per ESPN. “Right now, he’s struggling a little bit. So we kind of like where he’s at. We’ve got all the confidence in the world. When that confidence fades, we’ll find somebody else. But, right now, this guy is one of the real, real good players and an up-and-coming star in this game.”

Catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who is hitting .333 with five RBI, moves up from the seventh spot.