Burnett fine after being hit by foul ball  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Sean Burnett was scheduled to pitch two innings in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Astros, but he only pitched one after he was struck on the left knee by teammate Nyjer Morgan's foul ball in the first.

Jon Lester to start Red Sox opener  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Manager Terry Francona said today that Jon Lester would be the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox.  —  The season starts April 1 in Texas.  Lester will oppose C.J. Wilson in the 4:05 p.m. game.

Marty Marion dies; shortstop was MVP with '44 Cards  —  Marty Marion, known as “Mr. Shortstop” to a generation of St. Louis Cardinals fans, died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday night, according to his nephew, Scott Marion.  —  Mr. Marion was 93 and lived in Ladue.

Details of Felix Hernandez's no-trade clause  —  File this one away for July.  —  Felix Hernandez has a 10-team no-trade clause in his contract with the Seattle Mariners.  During this season, the right-hander will be able to block deals to the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox …

Grant Hill's Response to Jalen Rose  —  “The Fab Five,” an ESPN film about the Michigan basketball careers of Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson from 1991 to 1993, was broadcast for the first time Sunday night.  In the show, Rose, the show's executive producer …

Luis Hernandez quietly a contender at second base for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — He had circled Monday as a landmark in the Mets' search for a second baseman.  Then manager Terry Collins could whittle down the field from four to two, and inch closer to deciding who stands next to shortstop Jose Reyes on Opening Day.

Pitching (almost) always wins championships  —  A bold couple of statements: The Giants should have been the favorites to win the 2010 World Series—Hint: they weren't.  And if you're looking for a Cinderella story in 2010, the poor, inadequately-housed Oakland A's would be a good place to start.

Griffey says he retired for betterment of Mariners  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the Mariners on Wednesday for the first time since his retirement on June 2, 2010.  He's back as a special consultant and spoke about his decision to retire for the first time since then.

Rookie Trumbo is Angels' secret weapon  —  TEMPE, ARIZ.  —  First, I interview Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.  Then, I interview hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.  —  Both volunteer that rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo might redefine the baseball definition of “damage.”

MLB History: Farewell to Stats?  Baseball Needs More Story, Less Sabermetrics  —  Recently Major League Baseball named me its official historian, a great honor and an even greater opportunity.  I hope to convince you that some knowledge of baseball's past enhances the pleasure in every present moment.

Arizona Diamondbacks lose Dominican prospect due to false name  —  He said his name was Juan Collado and that he was 17 years old, and the Diamondbacks liked what they saw in the pitcher from the Dominican Republic.  —  This was two years ago, when his fastball was in the upper 80s with good movement …

Tony La Russa — baseball's oldest manager at 66 — maintains the fire as other older skippers retire  —  JUPITER — For Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, the revelation came during the 2,100-mile drive from St. Louis to California's Bay Area.  —  In a vehicle weighed down by trunks …