Good morning, glory! Today's breakfast links include an update on Nelson Cruz, an Upton no-move-is-a-good-move story, Choo's injury, a Royal power grab, and an interesting look at how Hurricane Irene could affect the league (and the playoffs) for weeks to come. Enjoy!

• Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz (hamstring) expected out 3 weeks
  Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz is expected to miss three weeks after an MRI on Monday revealed a Grade I strain of his left hamstring.
• Amid waiver reports, Upton happy to stay put
  An unidentified team is reported to have put in a claim for him, but the window closed for a possible deal on Monday afternoon.
• Choo could miss two weeks with oblique strain
  Shin-Soo Choo tweaked his strained left oblique muscle during his second at-bat in the third inning of an 8-7 win against the Royals. At first, he pleaded with Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff to allow him to stay in the game. When he made his way to the outfield in the ensuing frame, however, he felt pain with each step he took.

• Royals hit three homers to rock division-leading Tigers
  Salvador Perez and Alcides Escobar hit back-to-back homers and the Kansas City Royals beat the first-place Detroit Tigers 9-5 Monday night. Alex Gordon also homered and Johnny Giavotella added a bases-loaded double for the Royals, who came in 18 1/2 games behind Central Division leaders.
• Jonathan Sanchez hopeful to make return by season's end
  Sanchez is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sept. 1, though that's not likely to happen. He's been wearing a protective boot on his left foot for five days and has not thrown off a mound since making his last start two weeks ago in Atlanta.
• Jays' manager John Farrell to skip O's series due to pneumonia
  Blue Jays manager John Farrell continues to be weakened by pneumonia and will not accompany his team for a three-game series in Baltimore that begins Tuesday.
• Hurricane Irene will impact the MLB playoff race for the rest of the season
  ...particularly teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the Northeast.
• Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier out with controversial knee injury
  Dodgers Ethier out with bad knee, dispute ensues Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier out with controversial knee injury.