Francona releases Red Sox lineup  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  HOUSTON — The source of much conversation and expectation, the Red Sox [team stats] Opening Day lineup was unveiled this morning by manager Terry Francona.  Only two real discussion points …

Reds rally to stun Brewers on Hernandez's walkoff HR  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Ramon Hernandez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in an opening-day flashback to their NL Central title season.

Rays sign Wade Davis to extension  —  The Tampa Bay Rays signed starting pitcher Wade Davis to a four-year extension Thursday.  —  The contract, which contains three club option years (2015-17), guarantees Davis $12.6 million.  If the Rays exercise the three option years, the 25-year-old Davis will make approximately $35.1 million.

Ankiel, Riggleman note Cox's absence  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Jim Riggleman and outfielder Rick Ankiel said that it will be weird not seeing former Braves manager Bobby Cox in the opposing dugout.  —  Cox retired after the 2010 season.  He guided the Braves to five pennants and one World Series title.

D'Backs Sign Josh Wilson  —  The Diamondbacks signed infielder Josh Wilson to a minor league deal, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter links).  Wilson, who was released by the Mariners earlier in the week, will report to Triple-A Reno.

Hamels learned value of between-starts preparation  —  It came in the stifling St. Louis heat, everything Cole Hamels had worked for.  —  Players and coaches still talk about that game on July 22, 2010, and not just because it was the turning point for the Phillies, a chaotic day that ended …

Pirates Sign Tim Wood  —  The Pirates signed recently-released right-hander Tim Wood, MLBTR has learned.  It didn't take long for Wood to find a job after the Nationals released him and two others.  —  Wood logged 27 2/3 innings for the Marlins last year, posting a 5.53 ERA with more walks (15) than strikeouts (10).

Value Picks in the Bullpen  —  Just hours after this article goes live, the first pitch of the 2011 season will be thrown by either by CC Sabathia or Livan Hernandez.  It's Opening Day!  Or, as I like to think of it, “the equivalent of Christmas plus your birthday multiplied by ten Super Bowls"-not to overstate it, of course.

Derek Jeter, equipped with new contract from Yankees & swing from Kevin Long, out to defy history  —  Sometime this summer, the collective gaze of the baseball world will descend on Derek Jeter as he becomes the first Yankee in history to record 3,000 hits.  —  Those same eyes are likely …

Twins up to date on stats, but not loud about it  —  2011 BASEBALL PREVIEW The Twins pride themselves on scouting but say they also are in line with trends about statistics.  —  The Twins haven't been ignoring baseball's statistical revolution.  They're just not out front talking about it all the time.

Strasburg, Harper get to visit Nationals Park  —  Young stars among non-active players in clubhouse at NatsFest  —  WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper, Cole Kimball, Derek Norris, Stephen Strasburg and Chien-Ming Wang were seen in the Nationals' locker room before attending NatsFest on Wednesday afternoon.