Dodgers' opening day: Clayton Kershaw ($33 million) vs. Padres ($28 million)  —  Clayton Kershaw has started six times on opening day.  He never has lost.  On Monday, he makes what could be his most unusual start on opening day.  —  When Kershaw faces the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium …

Noah Syndergaard exits with blister, Mets unload in seventh inning to shut out Braves 6-0 on Opening Day  —  In six innings Monday, Noah Syndergaard gave the Mets fans hope and then reminded them just how fragile that hope can be.  The ace threw six scoreless innings before he was forced …

Mets' Steven Matz says he has strained flexor tendon in left elbow  —  The official reason for Steven Matz's latest stint on the disabled list is “left elbow inflammation.”  But the Mets lefthander said doctors have diagnosed him with a strained flexor tendon in his elbow.

Paul DePodesta: The Brain Behind the Browns Rebuild  —  Cleveland's crafty chief strategy officer plays coy when pressed on how he plans to help the franchise return to relevancy.  But here are a few clues into the Browns' draft strategy.  Plus items on Adrian Peterson visiting the Pats …

Reds could live or die by rookie pitchers in 2017 … CONNECT  —  The 2017 rotation was looked a lot different in January.  It looked more veteran.  —  Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani were supposed to be healthy, not felled until June with elbow problems.

THE CAMDEN EFFECT: At 25, ballpark's legacy is large in MLB  —  A quarter-century later, Larry Lucchino can be self-deprecating about a vision that ushered in a new era of ballpark construction.  —  “I tell everyone I've had one good, original idea in my 38 years in baseball,” said Lucchino …

Jets expect Muhammad Wilkerson to be 'Mo better in '17 — or else  —  The New York Jets expect to see the 2015 version of Muhammad Wilkerson this season, not the slow-Mo who labored through a pedestrian 2016.  Reputations are riding on it, mainly those of Wilkerson and general manager Mike Maccagnan …

Offseason In Review: Colorado Rockies  —  This is the latest entry in MLBTR's Offseason In Review series.  The full index of Offseason In Review posts can be found here.  —  The Rockies obviously see an opportunity to contend in 2017, and made some hefty commitments over the winter to bolster that possibility.

Games of the Day  —  The Pirates visit Fenway Park as Gerrit Cole takes on the Red Sox and reigning Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello.  Cole is coming off a down year in which injuries limited his playing time and led to his walk and home run rates going up.

Rays remain confident in Austin Pruitt despite rough debut  —  ST. PETERSBURG — It's not often a relief pitcher faces three batters, makes his pitches and leaves with the bases loaded.  But that was what happened to Rays RHP Austin Pruitt, who made his major-league debut Sunday in the ninth inning …