A day when 1 was the loneliest number  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — He could not have felt any worse than Jose Contreras of the White Sox did after giving up eight runs in one inning-plus.  Or Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano, negotiating a mega-million-dollar extension and getting tagged for six hits, five runs, and five walks by the Reds.

Nationals put Logan on DL, recall Casto from minors  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals put center fielder Nook Logan on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a left foot injury and recalled Kory Casto from Triple-A Columbus.  —  Casto was in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game …

Iowa Cubs without Prior for now  —  Staying in Mesa camp to build arm strength  —  CINCINNATI — Mark Prior is staying in Mesa, Ariz., for extended spring training and will not report to Triple-A Iowa for at least a week.  —  Prior threw three innings in his final Cactus League outing Wednesday before being optioned to Iowa.

Selig earned $14.5 million in fiscal 2005  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig earned as much last year as some of the league's top players.  —  Selig received $14.5 million in the 12 months ending Oct. 31, according to Major League Baseball's tax return, which was obtained by the Sports Business Journal.

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.

Elbow inflammation forces Carpenter to miss next turn  —  ST. LOUIS — Chris Carpenter will miss his next turn in the St. Louis Cardinals' pitching rotation due to right elbow inflammation.  —  Carpenter complained of soreness Monday, the day after he struggled in the season opener against the New York Mets.

MASN Flops  —  I wasn't going to complain about this today, but the morning show on WNST Radio on my drive to work today got me all kinds of fired up about it.  —  I was honestly going to just let my opinions about MASN's first regular season broadcast slide.  Maybe it was first game kinks that needed to be worked out.

Felix has career day on Opening Day  —  Hernandez fans 12 A's and Sexson clubs three-run homer  —  SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez went on a mission in Spring Training to be the Mariners' Opening Day starting pitcher.  —  He completed that goal and blasted off the way few others have on Monday afternoon …

Coffee with Derek Zumsteg: The Cheater's Guide to Baseball  —  Spring Training is exciting for a number of reasons.  First, and most obvious, the new season is about to start, which ignites dreams of glory in all but the least ardent fan.  A close second is that we get treated to the latest round of baseball books.

Pays to wear pinstripes  —  Yankees boast four of seven highest-paid players  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees' pinstripes might as well be green.  —  Four of the top seven players on baseball's salary list play in the Bronx, led by Alex Rodriguez at a record $27.7 million …

Twins batter Bedard … MINNEAPOLIS // Erik Bedard 's walk off the mound was nearly as brisk as manager Sam Perlozzo's trip to get him.  Bedard hung his head, fixated on the Metrodome turf all the way until he disappeared into the Orioles' dugout, a potential statement victory for himself …

Cantu will report to Durham  —  Disgruntled and demoted second baseman Jorge Cantu will report to Triple-A Durham in time for Thursday's season opener and will be focused and prepared to play hard, agent Steve Canter said Tuesday.  —  But whether Cantu plays again for the Devil Rays could be another issue.

Loaiza takes turn for worse  —  MRI results on trapezius mean he'll miss at least two starts  —  SEATTLE — When the A's placed righty starter Esteban Loaiza on the 15-day disabled list with spasms in his right trapezius muscle Sunday, their hope was that he'd be able to make a rehab start …

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.

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.

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.