New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner raised some eyebrows last week when he said he wanted Juan Soto to finish his career with the club.

Steinbrenner added that he's willing to negotiate a contract extension with Soto during the season, something the Yankees don't typically do.

However, an American League executive doesn't believe the Yankees have a chance to sign Soto before he hits free agency this offseason.

"There's no chance," the AL executive said. "I think he ultimately signs back with the Yankees, but Scott [Boras] takes his guys into free agency."

Boras recently said that he's happy to speak with Steinbrenner, and that while Soto is still getting to know the organization, the player's "singular focus is winning."

Another AL executive pegged the Yankees' chances of signing Soto before the end of the season at 5%.

The Minnesota Twins held a players-only meeting after Monday night's loss to the Washington Nationals, which pushed their losing streak to seven games.

"It's easy to be a fun guy to be around when things are going good and when everything you're hitting is falling and you're just winning games," Carlos Correa said. "But when the tough times come, that's when you know who people are. And it's helpful to talk."

Just eight days ago, the Twins were the hottest team in baseball and had won 17 of 20 games.

Rocco Baldelli said he has held two or three postgame talks already during a year that also included an earlier five-game slide, and is hesitant to conduct more because "it starts to get drowned out." He approved of the players' decision.

"I don't know what was said. I have no idea," Baldelli said. "I think it was the right thing to do at the right time. And hopefully we get something out of it."

Rafael Devers set a Boston Red Sox record when he homered for the sixth consecutive game in Monday night's 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

He is the first Major Leaguer to do it since Mike Trout had a seven-game streak from Sept. 4-12, 2022.

"I'm very proud to be in that conversation with him," Devers said through an interpreter. "Obviously we know the type of superstar that he is. He's a future Hall of Famer and superstar, and to be in the same level with him is very nice."

Devers had shared the club mark of five with Jimmie Foxx (1940), Ted Williams (1957), Dick Stuart (1963), George Scott (1977), Jose Canseco (1995) and Bobby Dalbec (2020).

Xander Bogaerts left the San Diego Padres' game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday with a left shoulder injury.

Bogaerts landed on the shoulder while diving for a bases-loaded grounder hit by Ronald Acuna, Jr. in the third inning. Bogaerts stopped the grounder but was unable to make a throw on Acuna's run-scoring infield hit.

He immediately signaled to the bench for assistance, and a trainer examined the second baseman before escorting him off the field.

Mike Shildt said imaging tests on Bogaerts' shoulder were negative and more tests had been scheduled.

"The initial feedback is the best-case scenario," Shildt said.

Gerrit Cole will take another step in his recovery from nerve inflammation in his elbow on Tuesday when he faces hitters for the first time since landing on the injured list in late March.

Cole felt good Sunday after throwing 40 pitches in his fifth bullpen session on Saturday.

"Yeah, it's important," New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Bouncing back from a two-up bullpen with some guys standing in on him, and I know (he was) feeling good (Sunday) coming in.

"We just want to continue to progress and continue to stack good days, and that's another step along the way of getting out there on the bump and facing hitters. I'm sure there's an added little adrenaline that goes with that. All important steps on his return."

Cole, 33, is coming off a season in which he went 15-4 while leading the American League in ERA (2.63) and innings pitched (209). He struck out 222 and walked 48. He won the 2023 AL Cy Young award.

The Atlanta Braves are "keeping a close eye on" Zach Eflin as a potential trade target prior to the deadline, according to a report.

Rotation help has been a need for the Braves ever since Spencer Strider was lost for the season to an elbow injury.

Eflin has a 4.12 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 59 innings pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays this season.

The Chicago Cubs are promoting prospect Luis Vazquez, according to ESPN.

Vazquez, 24, will be making his Major League debut.

The call up appears tied to the health of Nico Hoerner, who hasn't played since last Monday due to an injured hamstring.

Vazquez was a 4th-round pick for the Cubs in 2017.

The St. Louis Cardinals are calling up right-hander Ryan Loutos.

An adjustment will need to be made to the club's 26-man and 40-man rosters as Loutos isn't on the 40-man.

It will be the first Major League exposure for Loutos, a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis who signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2021.  

The Toronto Blue Jays enter the week at 20-25 and in last place in the American League East.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins acknowledged that it's not that early anymore, and things need to turn around soon.  

"We believe in this talent. There is time left, but there's a massive sense of urgency and we need to get it turned around soon," Atkins said before the game. "... We're at the quarter pole and once you get to the halfway mark, there's not much you can do if the whole remains the same. We'll see. You always are prepared for any angle or any pivot that you have to make." 

Jose Abreu may be close to rejoining the Houston Astros.

Abreu agreed to be demoted to the Florida Complex League on May 1. He will play a few more Minor League games this week and could be called back up when the Astros begin a series with the Oakland Athletics on Friday, says general manager Dana Brown.

Abreu, 37, hit .099/.156/.113 in 22 games prior to the demotion.