Right now Red Sox are a lousy team  —  CLEVELAND  —  Yes, it's early.  Yes, the game-time temperature was 39 degrees.  Yes, Reggie Dunlop and the Charlestown Chiefs played before larger crowds than the one that gathered at the former Jacobs Field on Wednesday night.

Joey Looseleafs wound tight ... in April?  —  Girardi's agitation level in late-season form after his Soriano decision is questioned … It's only April 6, and already, the veins in Joe Girardi's neck are bulging like Alex Rodriguez's biceps.  —  The teeth are already gritted, the eyes flashing, the answers short.

Desmond remains Riggleman's leading man  —  MIAMI — On Wednesday, a day after saying that shortstop Ian Desmond would move down in the batting order and that second baseman Danny Espinosa would be the new leadoff hitter, manager Jim Riggleman had a change of heart.

Tampa Bay Rays: quote of day Manny on what he needs to prove; quote of day 2 Maddon on road trip; turn back the clock  —  The dish  —  When/where: 2:10 today; U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago  —  TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)  —  Starting pitchers  —  WHITE SOX: RHP Edwin Jackson (1-0, 3.00)

Rob Dibble says e-mail from Strasburg's dad ended his MASN tenure  —  (Jonathan Newton - WASHINGTON POST) Late last August, MASN color analyst Rob Dibble told Stephen Strasburg to “suck it up,” before the extent of Strasburg's elbow injury had become public.

Harden has successful bullpen session  —  TORONTO — Rehabbing hurler Rich Harden, nursing a sore lat muscle, had a successful bullpen session with hitters standing in on Thursday morning and is now geared to throw live batting practice on Monday.  —  “I feel good,” Harden said.  “I'm ready to go.”

Blue Jays could play a game in Montreal  —  MONTREAL - Toronto Blue Jays president Paul Beeston says he's open to the idea of realizing the dreams of some Quebec fans and bringing his team to Montreal's Olympic Stadium for a visit.  —  “Certainly we would like to play a game in Montreal …

Jays: Escobar feeling fine, but won't play in series finale  —  Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar is feeling fine after being kneed in the head during Wednesday night's game against the Oakland A's but it still unclear if he suffered a concussion.  —  Escobar will held …

Howard, Polanco lead Phillies past Mets  —  PHILADELPHIA—Ryan Howard tied a career high with four hits and fell a triple short of the cycle, Ben Francisco also homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 10-7 Wednesday night after wasting a 7-0 lead.

The Brandon Phillips Trade Five Years Later  —  Today, Brandon Phillips may be the Reds' most recognizable player.  Five years ago?  He was anything but.  When then-GM Wayne Krivsky acquired Phillips from the Indians on this date in 2006, he was a 24-year-old unknown who had yet to convert …

Manuel understands Phillies fans booing Hamels  —  Charlie Manuel said he understood why fans at Citizens Bank Park chose to boo Cole Hamels after one of the worst starts of his career Tuesday night.  “It's part of baseball,” the manager said in the dugout before Wednesday's game.

Trading Places  —  In an offseason packed with turmoil and turnover but bereft of big-money acquisitions, the Mets made one high-profile on-field move by swapping Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan in the outfield.  Even though Beltran still feels that he could play center …

Lidge likely out until near All-Star break  —  Phillies closer on 15-day disabled list with right rotator cuff strain  —  Phillies closer Brad Lidge likely will be out until around the All-Star break, manager Charlie Manuel said during an appearance Wednesday on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM.