Olsen joins Marlins' hit parade  —  WASHINGTON — After slapping a base hit in an exhibition game last month, Scott Olsen joked that he'd try to beat out fellow pitcher Dontrelle Willis for the Silver Slugger award.  —  In his first start of the season Tuesday night, he didn't waste any time.

M's off to quick start  —  Two games into season, Seattle equals 2006 win total against A's  —  Big league ballclubs aren't in the habit of crowing about accomplishments garnered over the first two games of a season, but don't blame the Mariners for pumping out their chests this morning.

Sore elbow slows Carpenter  —  A bad Sunday night has become a bad week for Chris Carpenter.  Still to be determined is whether it will extend to a bad month.  —  The Cardinals' ace will miss at least his next scheduled start against the Houston Astros on Friday after notifying team trainers …

Unhappy Cantu to play for Durham  —  NEW YORK - 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.

George bans Swindal from Yank dinner  —  A standing ovation from his team brought George Steinbrenner to tears Monday night at the Yanks' popular "Welcome Home" charity dinner at the midtown Sheraton, a few hours after their Opening Day victory over the Devil Rays.

Weiss, Castilla out of dugout  —  The conspiracy theory was sexier: Arizona Diamondbacks keep Weiss guys out of Rockies' dugout.  Too bad it wasn't true.  —  Rockies special assistants Walt Weiss and Vinny Castilla were evicted because Major League Baseball, as promised in November …

BULLPEN GETS OFF TO GOOD START  —  The bridge from Yankees starter to closer Mariano Rivera was very sturdy Monday against the Devil Rays.  GM Brian Cashman has done a good job of acquiring power arms, signing Brian Bruney off the street and trading for Luis Vizcaino to go along with Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth.

Ozzie's opening line: If we don't win, fire me  —  Ken Williams at first seemed a bit taken aback by his manager's latest words Monday.  But after pausing a moment, the White Sox general manager smiled and borrowed a phrase associated with enigmatic Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Payroll ($30,507,000) ranks 29th  —  WASHINGTON - Unlike last season, the Marlins aren't starting at the bottom of the payroll standings.  —  According to team payroll information gathered by The Associated Press, the Marlins' Opening Day payroll more than doubled to $30,507,000.

Cormier likely to go on DL  —  Cox says Davies may be recalled from Richmond  —  Philadelphia — Lance Cormier hoped his dream spring wouldn't be spoiled by a sore shoulder, but it appears it will be.  —  The Braves right-hander had some lingering discomfort when he long-tossed Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.

A BAGEL ON OPENING DAY  —  Giants shut out by the Padres  —  (04-03) 19:26 PDT — Start with a quart of awful and add two teaspoons of hideous.  Throw in a dash of miserable and you had the recipe for the Giants' 2007 opener Tuesday.  The best they could do with this foul-tasting stew …

Pirates Notebook: Lincoln has major elbow surgery  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  HOUSTON — Another top pitching prospect has gone under the knife.  —  Brad Lincoln, the Pirates' first-round draft pick last summer, yesterday had reconstructive surgery to repair ligament damage …

More baseball clubs joining spending spree  —  The New York Yankees, at $189.6 million, still have the highest payroll in baseball, but other teams are beginning to close the gap.  —  According to USA TODAY's 23rd annual survey of salaries, seven of the 30 teams have 2007 payrolls above $100 million.

Swing and a miss for Blue Jays' commercial  —  DETROIT — Frank Thomas's prodigious talents hitting home runs throughout his illustrious 17-year Major League Baseball career have been well celebrated.  —  However, the sight of Mr. Thomas, nicknamed the Big Hurt, swinging a pillow at a child …