THE HOT CORNER

1 CUBS: The team dropped its protest over the pitching delivery of Washington reliever Sean Doolittle. Manager Joe Maddon made the announcement before Sunday night’s game against the Nationals. Maddon came out twice in the ninth inning of a 5-2 loss Saturday night to complain to plate umpire San Holbrook about Doolittle. Maddon said he believed the left-handed Doolittle was tapping his right toe on the ground before coming to the plate. Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was informed at the end of spring training that his delivery, which featured a similar toe-tap, was illegal. That ruling miffed Maddon and the Cubs.

2 ASTROS: Outfielder George Springer left the game against Boston in the fifth inning with lower back stiffness. Springer, who entered Sunday leading the American League with 17 homers, took three big swings in the first and struck out against Chris Sale. On the second and third swings, Springer appeared to reach briefly for the lower right side of his back. Springer also struck out swinging in his next two at-bats — in the second and fourth — before he was removed when Houston took the field on defense in the fifth. He was replaced in the batting order by Tony Kemp.

3 ROYALS: Kansas City has requested release waivers on Frank Schwindel, who was designated for assignment Tuesday. Schwindel was the opening day first baseman but had just one hit in 15 at-bats in six games. There is a possibility he could be re-signed to a minor league contract.

4 PHILLIES: Utility player Scott Kingery (right hamstring) was activated from the injured list, and OF Nick Williams went to Triple-A.

5 NATIONALS: Right-hander Justin Miller (right rotator cuff strain) went on the 10-day injured list, and RHP Tanner Rainey was recalled from Triple-A.