Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Streaking Sox make it five straight — In Fenway Park opener, Lowell notches four hits — BOSTON — They took off their road grays, threw on their home whites and not a whole lot else changed. And considering the way they played in their season-opening trip through Texas and Baltimore …
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MLB.com:
Red Sox place outfielder Coco Crisp on 15-day disabled list, purchase the contract of outfielder Dustan Mohr — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today placed outfielder Coco Crisp on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 9) with a non-displaced fracture at the base of his left index finger …
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Out: Crisp has broken knuckle; no timetable given for return — The two-paragraph release issued by Red Sox physician Thomas Gill yesterday, and the equally brief comments general manager Theo Epstein made, indicated only that Coco Crisp has a nondisplaced fracture at the base of his left index finger …
Dan Le Batard / Miami Herald:
S. Florida apathy rules Opening Day — Today is supposed to be about joy, hope and renewal, but it isn't, because we are the single strangest market in the history of Major League Baseball. The unwanted, unappreciated Florida Marlins return home for a new season this afternoon …
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Associated Press:
Padres-Marlins Preview — Off to disheartening starts to the season, the San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins will both be looking to snap losing streaks when they meet Tuesday in the Marlins' home opener. — The Padres (1-4) have lost four in a row and were embarrassed by Colorado at home during a three-game sweep over the weekend.
Sarah Talalay / Sun-Sentinel:
House-hunting for Marlins on hold, for now — Marlins' management flirted publicly with San Antonio officials last week during the team's opening series in Houston, but while both parties would like to move quickly it doesn't appear the relationship will lead to marriage anytime soon.
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
It's National alert — Mets hope to avoid fight — Major League Baseball backed Pedro Martinez and the Mets' contention they did nothing wrong in their bench-clearing incident against Washington last week, suspending and/or fining three members of only the Nationals yesterday on the eve …
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Rocky Mountain News:
Rockies report, April 11 — Scouting Report: Arizona Diamondbacks — Series history: Arizona leads 75-60, including 44-22 at Chase Field. Arizona won two of three last week at Coors Field. — Injury report: Right-handed pitcher Brandon Medders (back inflammation) is on the disabled list …
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Reid Hanley / Chicago Tribune:
It's offical: Lee signs — Cubs All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee has signed a five-year contract with a no-trade clause for an estimated $65 million. — The club had been negotiating with Lee throughout the spring. The first baseman, in the last year of his present contract …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Sore forearm sidelines Halladay — Blue Jays ace returns to Toronto, will miss one start — BOSTON — Toronto's rotation issues got a little more complicated on Tuesday, when the team announced that staff ace Roy Halladay will miss one start due to stiffness in his right forearm.
Associated Press:
Cheney throws out first pitch at Nats' home opener — WASHINGTON (AP) — Greeted with loud boos and some cheers, Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday at the Washington Nationals' home opener. — He stood directly in front of the mound and released a ball that hit the dirt in front of home plate.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Foulke closer to old form: Delivers in set-up role — BALTIMORE - Jonathan Papelbon may be closing games for the Red Sox, but Keith Foulke demonstrated once again yesterday that a return to his old form can't be written off. — Papelbon picked up all three saves on the 5-1 road trip …
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Step back off the ledge already — Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers fans' questions … I understand Ozzie wants to get Boone Logan's feet wet, but there is no way he should have been in the game against Travis Hafner [last Wednesday]. I might be mistaken …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
It's Early, but the Mets' Glass Is at Least Half Full — A pessimist could attribute the Mets' 4-1 start to a forgiving schedule that included a string of home games against what are presumed to be the lesser teams in the National League East. An optimist could consider the same evidence …
Discussion:
Metsquire
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Six homers lead Reds rout — Five solo blasts and a grand slam earn big victory — CHICAGO — There was no doubt the wind was blowing out at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. — Cincinnati connected for six home runs, including one by pitcher Bronson Arroyo and a grand slam by Edwin Encarnacion …
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Safe: Sox lock up Ortiz's services with a four-year extension — Assuming continued good health, surreal production, and no marketplace adjustments, David Ortiz could have played out the remaining two years of his deal with the Red Sox ($6.5 million this year, $8.4 million next year) …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
New park, old feelings — They came, all 41,936 of them, to see something new. — There awaited the lazy slope of a spanking new ballpark, mostly brick and painted red with freshly laid bluegrass and scoreboards offering sharper colors with vivid signage.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
M's take early trip — Leaving on Sunday creates rare true off day at cost of family time — CLEVELAND — Baseball teams play their 162 games in approximately 180 days, giving them about 18 off days during the season, not counting the All-Star break. — Many of the days off …
