MLB

Three weeks are now in the books here in the 2016 MLB season, and a few teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack here in the early going.

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals have gotten off to terrific starts on the National League side of things, while the defending champion Kansas City Royals still look like the team to beat in the American League.

The Chicago White Sox have impressed early, though, and were the biggest risers in this week's edition of our MLB power rankings.

Jose Altuve: home run hitter.

Seriously, this is going to be a little tough to get used to, with the emphasis on "little." Seriously, we've all accepted the idea that the Houston Astros second baseman is a big-time hitter, an All-Star, one of the better players in baseball.

But a home run hitter?

On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins will kick off a four-game series in Southern California.

After pounding the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 Sunday, the Chicago Cubs have now scored 38 runs in their last four games.

So, naturally, there's offensive optimism aplenty for Chicago. Lob a dart at the lineup card and, chances are, you'll hit a guy swinging at least a moderately hot stick.

New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez was removed from Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays with left oblique stiffness.

Continue for updates.

Many baseball fans will do whatever it takes to get their hands on a game-used baseball at the ballpark—with some even sacrificing a $7 beer or two. 

This Toronto Blue Jays fan could not care less about a souvenir baseball—at least if it came off the bat of an opposing player.

The New York Yankees announced Sunday that 18-year-old infielder Sandy Acevedo died Saturday night in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, per MLB.com's David Adler. 

Acevedo joined the Yankees organization on July 6, 2015, signing with the team on his 18th birthday.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo will miss at least his next few starts after being placed on the disabled list due to "right shoulder bicep tendinitis." An exact return date has

An anonymous buyer bought several documents outlining the original "Laws of Base Ball" for $3.26 million Sunday, per ESPN.com's Darren Rovell. 

That made it the highest-priced baseball document ever sold, surpassing Babe Ruth's contract with the Boston Red Sox in 1918 that sold for $1.02 million in 2014, according to Rovell.

Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco left Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers after injuring his hamstring while trying to cover first base. The extent of the injury is unknown, but he is headed to the disabled list.

Continue for updates.