Rogers placed on disabled list  —  Tigers left-hander will miss season's start due to fatigued arm  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tigers will go into the 2007 season without one of their heroes from last postseason.  The team placed Kenny Rogers on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with what is being described as a fatigued arm.

Crawford, Jackson shine in tie with Sox  —  Outfielder triples, drives in two; right-hander allows just one run  —  RED SOX 3, DEVIL RAYS 3  —  Red Sox at the plate: Manny Ramirez finished his Grapefruit League season by going 2-for-2.  David Ortiz produced an RBI single.  Alex Ochoa added a solo homer.

Notes: Brewers roster nearly finalized  —  Position player spot, bullpen job still to be determined  —  PHOENIX — Vinny Rottino grew up about a half hour's drive from Milwaukee, yet he has never been to a Brewers home opener.  Now that he is vying for the team's final roster spot …

Player Profile  —  Austin Kearns  —  Unlike former teammate Adam Dunn, who has had disappointing stretches or seasons, Austin Kearns has never really produced over the course of a full season, despite the praised heaped on him before ever earning a spot in the majors.

Twins roster set; Durbin, Rabe gone  —  The Twins finalized their roster today after pitcher J.D. Durbin was claimed on waivers by Arizona.  —  The Twins finalized their roster today after pitcher J.D. Durbin was claimed on waivers by Arizona.  —  Outfielder Josh Rabe was notified that he'll …

A's to place first baseman Johnson on DL  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics first baseman Dan Johnson will begin the season on the disabled list after being diagnosed with torn cartilage in his left hip, manager Bob Geren said Thursday.  —  Johnson was injured Monday in a collision at first with Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba.

Wright good fit at No. 2  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After coming up with excuses for putting David Wright in the No. 2 spot for most of spring training, Willie Randolph is showing his hand during its final days, using him there almost exclusively since his "tighten-up" meeting March 20.

Five Questions: St. Louis Cardinals  —  Through the first two months of 2006, the Cardinals looked like the same old juggernaut.  They reached May 31 with the NL's best record (34-19, a .642 winning pct) and, already, a five-game lead over the division.  Albert Pujols was on pace for 80 homers …

Gibson teaching the art of baserunning … PEORIA, Ariz. — When the Arizona Diamondbacks sprint down the first-base line this season like a bunch of caffeinated Rex Hudlers, you can chalk it up to attentiveness to detail and inherent professional pride.  —  And if their minds ever wander …

Indians uncover lost Chapman plaque  —  CLEVELAND — Tucked away and forgotten for years, a plaque commemorating one of baseball's darkest moments has been brought back to life.  —  A 175-pound bronzed memorial for Ray Chapman, the Cleveland Indians shortstop killed when he was hit in the head …

Gagne to start season on disabled list  —  Reliever needs more innings before pitching in Major Leagues  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers broke camp on Thursday and are ready to head back to Texas.  Reliever Eric Gagne wasn't with them, and he won't pitch for them for another two weeks.

Mitchell asks to interview players, expects to complete probe in 'months'  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell has asked to start player interviews as part of his steroids probe and expects to complete his investigation in the "coming months."

Q&A with MLB commissioner Bud Selig  —  The date was Dec. 6, 2001.  —  Commissioner Bud Selig, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, could not have sounded more depressed about the state of Major League Baseball.  —  Selig was in Washington D.C. to address a bill …

American (and National) Top 30  —  First off, thanks to Geoff Silver and the Sports Business section of the Columbia University MBA program for hosting Steven Goldman, Derek Jacques, Jay Jaffe, Alex Belth and I on Tuesday evening.  We had two great hours of discussion on the business of Baseball Prospectus …

Reds option Majewski, Livington  —  SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Bobby Livingston, who was competing for the fifth spot in the Cincinnati Reds' rotation, was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday along with reliever Gary Majewski.  —  Also, a medical test on outfielder Chris Denorfia detected …

Pirates Notebook: Sanchez progresses at plate, in field  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — It was just the first step, and one gingerly taken.  —  Still, Freddy Sanchez began to show the Pirates he could be ready for opening day — even if only as a pinch-hitter …

MLB PREVIEW 2007  —  FIXED  —  With Ben Sheets, Chris Capuano, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas, the Brewers have arguably the division's best rotation.  Yes, they overpaid for Suppan (four years, $42M), but here's why: He has pitched at least 188 innings in each of the past eight seasons …

The Strangest Cancellation in Baseball History  —  The article below I wrote for the Spring 2007 issue of 108 Magazine.  If you like this story, consider picking up a copy at a bookstore — or subscribing.  —  Spring 2007 Issue  —  108 Magazine  —  Attack of the Grasshoppers