Houston SS Lowrie placed on 15-day DL  —  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have placed shortstop Jed Lowrie on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb.  —  The Astros had hoped that Lowrie would be ready for opening day on Friday against Colorado, but he wasn't quite healthy enough to play.

Magic vs. Kemp?  LA slugger is ready  —  SAN DIEGO — It might have to happen over the dead body of incoming CEO Stan Kasten, what with the injury exclusion clauses in today's contracts.  —  But the mythical one-on-one hoop challenge concocted in the Dodgers clubhouse has been further fueled …

Dunn ties record with eighth opening-day homer  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adam Dunn tied a major league record with his eighth opening-day home run.  —  Dunn led off the sixth inning for the Chicago White Sox when he pulled a ball into the second deck of seats in right field off Texas starter Colby Lewis.

Truce?  Schilling: It's not me against Bobby V  —  ESPN baseball analyst and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling offered an olive branch of sorts in his back-and-forth with Boston manager Bobby Valentine, saying he feels bad so much has been made about his criticism and expressing regret …

Cards hit 4 HRs off Gallardo, pound Brewers 11-5  —  MILWAUKEE—David Freese hit a two-run drive for one of four St. Louis homers off Yovani Gallardo, and the Cardinals spoiled the Milwaukee Brewers' opener with an 11-5 victory on Friday.  —  Yadier Molina, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday …

Venable focused on effective baserunning  —  SAN DIEGO — Padres outfielder Will Venable didn't start Thursday against the Dodgers, but he got into the game in the sixth inning when he walked and later stole second base.  —  For as much that was made during Spring Training about Venable's …

Pineda plays catch, but April return unlikely  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda will remain behind at the club's Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla., when the team goes north, and he's unlikely to pitch at the Major League level in April.

Young, Goldschmidt HR vs Lincecum, D-backs beat SF  —  PHOENIX—Chris Young and Paul Goldschmidt hit first-inning home runs off Tim Lincecum and the Arizona Diamondbacks opened defense of their NL West title with a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday.

Arrieta, Markakis lead Orioles over Twins 4-2  —  BALTIMORE—Jake Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings, Nick Markakis homered and drove in three runs, and the Baltimore Orioles marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of Camden Yards by defeating the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Friday.