Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.
In a late-night surprise, Rockies All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins reportedly were traded to the Blue Jays for shortstop Jose Reyes, and three minor leaguers. Right-handers Miguel Castro and Jeff Hoffman, the latter the Jays' No. 1 pick in 2014, were reported to be headed to Colorado. The trade wasn't official as of early Tuesday.
MORE: Eight best trade destinations for David Price | Quiz: Which Alex Rodriguez are you?
Fox Sports reports that Reyes will likely be flipped by the Rockies, who have highly touted shortstop prospect Trevor Story waiting in the wings at Triple-A Albuquerque, but the New York Post's Joel Sherman reports that no deals are lined up.
Alex Rodriguez may have turned 40 on Monday, but the Yankees slugger has been revitalized this season. He celebrated by blasting an opposite-field solo shot off Rangers starter Matt Harrison for his 24th homer of the season and the 678th of his career. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Rodriguez joined Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Gary Sheffield as the only players with home runs in their teens and their 40s. Six of A-Rod's homers have come on his birthday, most in MLB history. He is batting .310 (18 for 58) with 16 RBIs in 14 career games on his birthday.
Beginning a list of his own memorable home runs, Cubs rookie Kris Bryant recorded his first career walkoff homer as the Cubs ended a three-game losing streak in a 9-8 comeback win over the Rockies. It was the Cubs' MLB-leading 10th walkoff win of the season. The homer was Bryant's 14th on the year and his second hit of the night — raising his batting line to .254/.358/.453 with 59 RBIs.
Here are more highlights from Monday's games:
Impact performers
C — Curt Casali, Rays: Casali hit a pair of homers and added a single in a 3-for-4 performance. He now has five long balls in 51 plate appearances.
1B — Eric Hosmer, Royals: Hosmer went 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs, improving his season slash line to .308/.368/.467.
2B — Robinson Cano, Mariners: Cano stayed hot, going 2 for 3 with a solo homer and two walks. He is riding an eight-game hitting streak.
SS — Didi Gregorius, Yankees: Gregorius hit a two-run single and a two-run home run en route to a career best four RBIs.
3B — Adonis Garcia, Braves: Filling in for the recently traded Juan Uribe, Garcia went 2 for 5 with a double and a solo home run.
OF — Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: With his second homer of the night, CarGo now has three multi-homer games in his past four games. He finished 4 for 5 with four RBIs.
DH — Adam Eaton, White Sox: Falling a homer shy of the cycle, Eaton finished 3 for 6 with two RBIs and a run scored.
SP — Alex Wood, Braves: Wood scattered three singles over 7 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out seven. Despite the nice outing, Wood received a no-decision as the Orioles' Kevin Gausman matched him with 7 2/3 scoreless innings.
Play of the day
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters delivered the game-winning hit, a home run to center field to give the Orioles a 2-1 win over the Braves in 11 innings.
Trade rumor roundup
The Padres are reportedly having a fire sale and at least 11 players are rumored to be on the trading block. We break it down for you by player and note why and where each could be moved. One rumor has the Padres pursuing Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro.
No offers have been exchanged but the Giants have inquired about Reds closer Aroldis Chapman. Cincinnati's asking price may be too high.
The Cardinals have had conversations recently with the Brewers about Milwaukee first baseman Adam Lind.
As the Cole Hamels sweepstakes heats up, the Rangers and Dodgers have emerged as the favorites to land the Phillies ace. You can also add the Diamondbacks to the list of teams expressing interest, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported. Crasnick also reports that the Astros "remain in the thick" of the bidding for Hamels and are "making a big push" for the left-hander.
Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi says the Tigers remain in "buy" mode as they sit 4 1/2 games out of the AL wild card.
The Dodgers have let teams know that Yasiel Puig is available in "the right deal," which is a surprise after CBS Sports' Jon Heyman was told Saturday by Dodgers sources that the organization assured Puig he would not be dealt this trading season.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Dodgers have discussed infielder Alex Guerrero in trade talks and are looking for pitching in return.
Key injuries
Brewers slugger Ryan Braun was a late scratch from his game vs. the Giants because of lower back tightness.
Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina left Monday's game against the Reds in the fifth inning because he was "not feeling well."
Out for over a month with a small fracture in his right fibula, Giants outfielder Nori Aoki returned to the lineup but finished 0 for 3.
Rangers starter Derek Holland (shoulder) will begin the first of three scheduled rehab starts on Thursday.
Surprise performers
Good: Braves outfielder Eury Perez ended a 3-for-21 slump by going 3 for 4 with a stolen base.
Bad: The White Sox jumped on Red Sox starter Joe Kelly for four runs in the first inning, starting the game with a triple, a triple, a double, a hit by pitch and a single.
Facts of the day
Adam Eaton and Tyler Saladino became the first White Sox batters to lead off a game with back-to-back triples since Chico Carrasquel and Nellie Fox did it in 1954.
With his 2-for-5 performance, White Sox outfielder Melky Cabrera has recorded two or more hits in a career-high five consecutive games.
With his first-inning home run, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has hit at least 20 homers for a 14th consecutive season. Only Hank Aaron (20), Babe Ruth (16), Rodriguez (15), Barry Bonds (15) and Willie Mays (15) have hit 20 or more in more consecutive seasons.
With their win over the Indians, the Royals have reached 60 wins prior to their 100th game for just the third time (1976 and 1980 were the others) in franchise history, the Elias Sports Bureau reported.
Off the field
The Mets acquired reliever Tyler Clippard and cash from the Athletics in exchange for minor league pitcher Casey Meisner.
The Angels received outfielder Shane Victorino and cash considerations from the Red Sox in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge.
Taylor Swift moved her Oct. 13 concert in Houston because the Astros might make the playoffs.
Newly acquired right-hander Johnny Cueto will make his first start for the Royals on Friday against the Blue Jays.
The estranged wife of late Cubs legend Ernie Banks claims the Hall of Famer was diagnosed with dementia days before he signed a will that left his entire estate to his caregiver.
Monday's scores
American League
Royals 9, Indians 4
White Sox 10, Red Sox 8
Rays 5, Tigers 2
Yankees 6, Rangers 2
National League
Cubs 9, Rockies 8
Cardinals 4, Reds 1
Giants 4, Brewers 2
Interleague
Orioles 2, Braves 1, 11 innings
Diamondbacks 4, Mariners 3, 10 innings
A look ahead
Tuesday's three best games (all times Eastern):
White Sox (47-50) at Red Sox (44-56), 7:10 p.m.: In what may be his final start for the White Sox, Jeff Samardzija (7-5, 3.91 ERA) will look to increase his trade value with another quality outing. “Shark” carries a streak of nine straight starts in which he has pitched at least seven innings. Left-hander Wade Miley (8-8, 4.33 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Red Sox. He is 4-3 with a 4.68 ERA at Fenway Park.
Nationals (52-45) at Marlins (41-58), 7:10 p.m.: The Marlins have been a disappointment this season, but they also spent about half of it without Jose Fernandez (3-0, 2.77 ERA). The 23-year-old ace has been unbeatable (14-0 in 22 starts) at home in his career, striking out 168 batters in 145 2/3 innings at Marlins Park. Jordan Zimmermann (8-5, 3.30 ERA) will look to prevent the Nationals from losing their fourth game in the past five.
Reds (43-54) at Cardinals (64-35), 8:15 p.m.: Having already dealt starter Johnny Cueto, the Reds also seem inclined to ship out Mike Leake (8-5, 3.78 ERA), who is scheduled to take the mound against the Cardinals. Jaime Garcia (3-3, 1.69 ERA) is coming off the disabled list after missing more than a month with a left groin strain. He will have his hands full with a strong Reds lineup, especially second baseman Brandon Phillips, who owns a .317 average (13 for 41) against Garcia.