Who Are These Guys?  —  In December, I looked at the awe-inspiring mediocrity of the Washington Nationals' projected starting rotation.  Back then, I figured the front five would consist of John Patterson, Michael O'Connor, Shawn Hill, Tim Redding, and an as-yet-unnamed free agent.

Weiss, Castilla out of dugout  —  The conspiracy theory was sexier: Arizona Diamondbacks keep Weiss guys out of Rockies' dugout.  Too bad it wasn't true.  —  Rockies special assistants Walt Weiss and Vinny Castilla were evicted because Major League Baseball, as promised in November …

Mariners Notebook: Age tips cap to youth  —  Batista, 36, talks up Hernandez on eve of M's debut  —  When Miguel Batista takes the mound tonight for his Mariners debut, don't try making comparisons with Opening Day starter Felix Hernandez.  —  Yes, the two are starters.  Sure, both are right-handers.

'67 Sox gather for salute  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Red Sox [team stats] will mark the 40th anniversary of the fabled "Impossible Dream" team with a season-long tribute that begins prior to the home opener at Fenway Park [map] on Tuesday.  —  The 1967 Sox, who went from a ninth-place team …

Olsen joins Marlins' hit parade  —  WASHINGTON — After slapping a base hit in an exhibition game last month, Scott Olsen joked that he'd try to beat out fellow pitcher Dontrelle Willis for the Silver Slugger award.  —  In his first start of the season Tuesday night, he didn't waste any time.

George bans Swindal from Yank dinner  —  A standing ovation from his team brought George Steinbrenner to tears Monday night at the Yanks' popular "Welcome Home" charity dinner at the midtown Sheraton, a few hours after their Opening Day victory over the Devil Rays.

Unhappy Cantu to play for Durham  —  NEW YORK - Disgruntled and demoted second baseman Jorge Cantu will report to Triple-A Durham in time for Thursday's season opener and will be focused and prepared to play hard, agent Steve Canter said Tuesday.  —  But whether Cantu plays again for the Devil Rays could be another issue.

Sometimes It Is How Far You Hit Them  —  It's true that no matter how far you hit a home run, it's still only worth one run.  However, people still want to know who hits them the farthest and the hardest.  Using an analytical method and tool called Hit Tracker, I was able to show …

Sore elbow slows Carpenter  —  A bad Sunday night has become a bad week for Chris Carpenter.  Still to be determined is whether it will extend to a bad month.  —  The Cardinals' ace will miss at least his next scheduled start against the Houston Astros on Friday after notifying team trainers …

BULLPEN GETS OFF TO GOOD START  —  The bridge from Yankees starter to closer Mariano Rivera was very sturdy Monday against the Devil Rays.  GM Brian Cashman has done a good job of acquiring power arms, signing Brian Bruney off the street and trading for Luis Vizcaino to go along with Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth.

Josh wants to throw foes a curve  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Josh Beckett [stats] was always at his best last season right after he was at his worst.  —  Using words like "brutal" and "embarrassed" and others that must be bleeped out, Beckett would berate himself for the mound sins he had just committed.

Ozzie's opening line: If we don't win, fire me  —  Ken Williams at first seemed a bit taken aback by his manager's latest words Monday.  But after pausing a moment, the White Sox general manager smiled and borrowed a phrase associated with enigmatic Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Cormier likely to go on DL  —  Cox says Davies may be recalled from Richmond  —  Philadelphia — Lance Cormier hoped his dream spring wouldn't be spoiled by a sore shoulder, but it appears it will be.  —  The Braves right-hander had some lingering discomfort when he long-tossed Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.

LA Angels 8, Texas 3  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero hits Texas pitching as if he were taking batting practice.  —  The Rangers' biggest nemesis had a solo homer and two RBI singles to lead the Los Angeles Angels to an 8-4 victory Tuesday night.

Payroll ($30,507,000) ranks 29th  —  WASHINGTON - Unlike last season, the Marlins aren't starting at the bottom of the payroll standings.  —  According to team payroll information gathered by The Associated Press, the Marlins' Opening Day payroll more than doubled to $30,507,000.

A BAGEL ON OPENING DAY  —  Giants shut out by the Padres  —  (04-03) 19:26 PDT — Start with a quart of awful and add two teaspoons of hideous.  Throw in a dash of miserable and you had the recipe for the Giants' 2007 opener Tuesday.  The best they could do with this foul-tasting stew …

Duque shuts down Cardinals  —  After disappointing camp, he keeps St. Louis in check, gets 2 hits and 2 RBIs  —  ST. LOUIS — As a not-so-subtle reminder of yet another pregame ceremony, the Cardinals kept a gigantic image of their World Series ring on the rightfield DiamondVision for all nine innings last night.