MLB scores and more: Weaver goes to DL, Kershaw lined up for $200M, Niemann's season is over

Tuesday’s scores

Tigers 7, Blue Jays 3 - Miguel Cabrera had a four-hit, four-RBI day, including his first home run of 2013. Torii Hunter notched career hit No. 2,000 with a single up the middle in the sixth. Anibal Sanchez turned in seven solid innings.

Padres 9, Dodgers 3 - Knotted at three going into the bottom of the seventh, Mark Kotsay slapped a pinch-hit, RBI double to put the Friars ahead. Wil Venable added some breathing room with a bases-clearing triple in the eighth.

Nats 8, White Sox 7 - Four long balls from the Nationals -- two from Adam LaRoche -- set the stage Tuesday night in Chicago. The White Sox had a pair of big flies of their own, but couldn't quite take their home opener.

Yankees 14, Indians 1 - The Yanks absolutely clobbered the ball Tuesday, racking up five home runs and 18 hits total. Fresh off a suspension for purposefully beaning a batter, Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco did it again and was ejected, and now likely faces another suspension.

Phillies 8, Mets 3 - Michael Young finished a triple short of the cycle and Ryan Howard hit his first home run of the year to back a gem from Cliff Lee, who struck out six in 8⅔ innings. Dillon Gee lasted just three frames for the Mets.

Braves 3, Marlins 2 - Kris Medlen put together another quality start, allowing three hits and one run in seven frames (though striking out just one). The Marlins now have just 14 runs through their first seven games. That's really bad.

Cubs 6, Brewers 3 - John Axford was at it again Tuesday night. Axford loaded the bases in the eighth, then watched all three of his runners score after he got the hook to take his second loss in three days. His ERA is now 24.30.

Rangers 6, Rays 1 - Nick Tepesch shut down the Rays in his Major League debut, holding Tampa Bay's powerful offense to just four hits and a single run in 7⅓. Lance Berkman helped out with a three-hit, two-RBI day.

Royals 7, Twins 4 - A five-run first powered the Royals to their third straight win. KC scored all seven runs in the first three frames, chasing Mike Pelfrey after two, then let starter Jeremy Guthrie and the bullpen do the rest.

Cardinals 5, Reds 1 - Shut down by Bronson Arroyo through five, the Cardinals came to life in the sixth with a two-run, pinch-hit home run off the bat of Matt Adams. Lance Lynn K-ed 10 through six frames for St. Louis to get the win.

Pirates 6, D'Backs 5 - Both starters were shaky Tuesday night, but it was AZ starter Brandon McCarthy's five-run fourth inning that proved decisive, as the Bucs eked by the D'Backs.

Athletics 9, Angles 5 - Clinging to a 5-4 lead in the seventh, the Angels called on Kevin Jepsen to hold the lead but he couldn't do it. John Jaso and Brandon Moss each homered to give the A's five runs in the inning and the win.

Astros 16, Mariners 9 - Houston's offense came to life in the most unlikely of places Tuesday. The club mashed five home runs and 22 hits in the normally pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. The team still struck out 10 times on the night.

Giants 9, Rockies 6 - Tim Lincecum struggled yet again, but for the second straight start the Giants' offense was able to pick him up. Down 6-2 in the sixth, the Giants rallied for four runs and added three more in the eighth.

The Big Three

1. The Los Angeles Angels will be without their ace, Jered Weaver, for at least the next month as right-hander has been diagnosed with a broken left (non-throwing) elbow. While rumors immediately swirled about Aaron Harang and other external candidates, youngster Garrett Richards will take over Weaver's spot in the rotation for the time being. As doom and gloom as the scenario seems for the Angels, the freak injury could end up being a blessing in disguise for Weaver. I don't think that Weaver is just going to magically find the four to five miles per hour he's lost on his fastball lying around the house somewhere, but I do think a month of rehab could potentially do wonders for coming to terms with his new, slower arsenal. If nothing else, he can try making drastic adjustments during his month on the sidelines without the worry of how that will affect the outcome of a game. The Halos really need C.J. Wilson to step up if they don't want to be in another early hole this year, so Tuesday's night mediocre performance was anything but reassuring.

2. The Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw are still in negotiations talks, and at least one person familiar with the goings ons believes that the discussions are already at a figure above $200 million. I have no doubt at this point that the Dodgers will absolutely demolish the record for money given to a pitcher, it's just a matter of when. There doesn't seem to be any rush to get a deal finalized, but I'd guesstimate that the two sides will come to an agreement at some point before April comes to a close. I really don't buy into the narrative that contract discussions were/are distracting from a player's performance on the field, but the negative media backlash for even giving the appearance of being at odds with your star player -- which will happen if talks go on too long -- is very real. Please don't give T.J. Simers and Bill Plaschke any more ammunition, Dodgers.

3. The Rays lost a bullpen arm and some rotation depth on Tuesday. Right-hander Jeff Niemann has elected to undergo shoulder surgery that will likely sideline him for the entire season. It's a tough break for the 30-year-old right-hander, as he'll likely be non-tendered at the end of the year and be left to wandering the open market as damaged goods. I've always felt that Niemann's a bit underrated, so I'm hopeful that he'll eventually land with someone who will give him another shot as a starter. For their part, the Rays should be just just fine without him, as they have a whole bevy of strong, young arms in the high minors waiting to take the big stage.

In Other News...

1. We've known it's been coming for a few weeks now, and on Tuesday the Rangers finally did it. Outfielder Julio Borbon has been designated for assignment by Texas and will likely be grabbed off of waivers in the next few days.

2. The Toronto Blue Jays have signed righty reliever Miguel Batista to a minor-league deal. The 42-year-old spent two seasons with the Jays in the mid-00s, but it seems rather unlikely he'll make his way back into the big-league bullpen this time around.

3. Roy Oswalt is making more noise, this time talking about a possible reunion in Philadelphia. I really just wish he'd go away at this point.