Lawrence wants to curtail rehab  —  Brian Lawrence doesn't want a distraction, just a mutual understanding.  He plans to start the Sky Sox's Triple-A opener Thursday, but has no intention of completing the maximum 30-day rehab assignment.  —  "I understand their position and I just hope they understand my position," Lawrence said.

Great 'D' is catching  —  Valentin, Beltran make highlight plays that encourage Willie  —  ST. LOUIS - The importance of Carlos Beltran's precise throw or Jose Valentin's diving grab cannot be overstated in the wake of the Mets' season-opening 6-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Game 1 4/2/07 @ KC  —  Not sure where to even start.  Two words sum it up best, no command.  Can't remember a game where I couldn't make adjustments but today was certainly one of those.  Not so much the secondary pitches but no fastball command is not something that happens much, if at all …

Toronto 5, Detroit 3, 10 innings  —  DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers raised the 2006 AL pennant and fireworks were set off to help commemorate the accomplishment.  —  Three-plus hours later, the Toronto Blue Jays stole the show.  —  Troy Glaus hit a bases-loaded single in the 10th inning …

La Russa bothered by attention paid to opening lineup  —  A non-combatant in Sunday's 6-1 opening-day loss, Cardinals power project Chris Duncan probably will start in left field and bat second tonight against New York Mets righthander Orlando Hernandez.  —  His manager, however, may have had enough of the issue.

Yankee Stadiums new and old from the 4 Train platform.  —  Inside the new Stadium looking toward home plate from right field.  —  Looking south along the tracks toward center field.  —  Exiting the 4 Train at 161 Street behind the center field frieze.  —  Looking down from the platform as the crowd starts to gather.

38 not so special  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Worse than Ellen DeGeneres's first night hosting the Oscars.  Worse than Arsenio Hall's first shot at late-night television.  Worse than Patriots coach Clive Rush's first press conference, when he was nearly electrocuted.

Trib sale holding up Zambrano's contract  —  CINCINNATI - Just when it looked like the Cubs were oh-so-close to signing ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano to a contract extension, the impending sale of the team has changed all that, at least for now.  —  Cubs president John McDonough admitted today …

Mariners Notebook: Johjima, Hernandez on same page  —  Catcher says first-pitch strikes key to success  —  Catcher Kenji Johjima had a tough time settling in with many of the Mariners' starting pitchers last year, none more so than Felix Hernandez.  —  The maturation of their relationship …

Sticking around  —  Rockies GM, manager get two-year extensions  —  DENVER (AP) — A summons from the general manager 23 years ago was bad news for Clint Hurdle, who was released by Seattle an hour before the season's first pitch.  —  This time, it was good news.

Opening Day at RFK Brings Smiles, Gripes  —  As the Washington Nationals began a third season yesterday, the sky was cloudless, but neither the home team nor the ballpark seemed quite ready for Opening Day.  —  On the field, the Nats fell behind early and eventually lost their first game of 2007 to the Florida Marlins, 9-2.

Milwaukee 7, LA Dodgers 1  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ben Sheets started the season in dominating style.  —  Sheets gave up an early home run, then retired his next 22 batters in a two-hitter Monday that led the Milwaukee Brewers over the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 in their opener.

Nationals' Logan, Guzman day to day  —  Opening Day injuries could prove costly after healthy spring  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Nationals were virtually injury free during Spring Training.  The only serious one came from right-hander Jason Simontacchi, who strained his right groin …