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.

Mets' Randolph Takes Early Measure of Rookie's Nerve  —  The first day of anyone's major league career is usually filled with special moments.  By the time he put on his uniform Sunday, the Mets rookie reliever Joe Smith said he already had a great one.  —  "I rode a golf cart to the ballpark," Smith said.

Iffy cloud hovers over Cubs  —  Contract talks with ace Zambrano thrown into limbo  —  CINCINNATI — The Cubs say the announcement Monday morning of the sale of their parent company had no impact on how they played in their season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Tigers know they must now turn the page … DETROIT — It's a day to remember.  Except it's supposed to be a day to forget.  —  It's a day when all that cool stuff you did last year becomes officially irrelevant.  Except it's also a day when all that cool stuff you did last year gets replayed …

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 …

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.

A startling start after hype and hope  —  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.

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 …

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.

MASN, Thanks for Soiling My Viewing Pleasure - The Broadcast Last Night  —  Well, as we all know, the Orioles played the Twins last night.  —  If you saw the game last night on ESPN 2, I'm sure it was a viewing great experience in light of the Orioles' loss.

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.

The Best Left-handed Pitchers of 2007  —  This week, I continue my position-by-position review of the game's best players by examining young left-handed pitchers.  The following list differs from traditional prospect lists in two ways.  First, only anyone under 25 right now is eligible.

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 …

Pirates launch late attack for uplifting opener  —  McLouth, Nady, Bay go deep to upend Astros, 4-2  —  Xavier Nady is greeted by Jose Bautista after hitting a home run with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the score against the Astros last night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Dodgers' offense limited in opener  —  LA starter Lowe struggles in four innings of work  —  MILWAUKEE — For the first time in franchise history, the Dodgers opened the season in Wisconsin on Monday and played like strangers in a strange land.  —  They did nothing particularly …