MLB announces iN DEMAND deal  —  MLB Channel Expects to Launch in 40 Million Homes through Multi-Distributor Pact  —  Major League Baseball announced today that iN DEMAND has entered into a seven-year agreement in principle to carry the MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription package of out-of-market games …

On Field and at the Plate, Beltrán Has a Hot Start  —  It took five and a third innings for the Mets to finally break through against their former closer, Braden Looper.  And as has been the case this whole opening series, Carlos Beltrán was right in the middle of it.

Sox Are Better With Beckett  —  5 K's In 5 Innings; Drew Saves Lowell  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For years with the Marlins, and last year with the Red Sox, Josh Beckett had come to rely on the glove of Mike Lowell at third base to bail him out of jams.  —  On Wednesday night …

Notes: Damon remains hobbled  —  Initial cramp diagnosis updated to calf strain; severity unknown  —  NEW YORK — A day of rest and treatment did little to ease the concerns and pain of Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, who said he could "barely walk" on Wednesday and was held out of the lineup …

Oakland hits Batista hard to win final game of series  —  This has been the overriding question facing the 2007 Mariners: How good were the three new arms acquired for the starting rotation?  —  Would the addition of Miguel Batista, Horacio Ramirez and Jeff Weaver signify a step forward …

Exam finds Carpenter's elbow much-improved  —  Chris Carpenter was cleared to begin preparation for his next scheduled start after a meeting with a team doctor late Wednesday night confirmed the swelling had gone down in his right elbow, the Cardinals ace said.

Francisco Rodriguez doctoring the ball  —  4-2-2007, against the Rangers, K-Rod put something on the ball repeatedly during the 9th inning, and wasn't even subtle about it.  First, I'm going to admit these are bad pictures.  Patches welcome, as they say in the open source world.

TBS lands Gwynn, Ripken  —  Soon-to-be Hall of Famers hired as baseball analysts  —  Before Cooperstown honors Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken later this year, the Hall of Fame duo will be suiting up for another team.  —  SI.com has learned that Gwynn and Ripken have agreed to join TBS as analysts …

Future Shock  —  Triple-A Preview  —  Over the past decade, Triple-A baseball has continued its transformation from a place for prospects to put the final touches on their game into more of a holding cell for veteran insurance policies that give teams a safe (if not completely dependable) fill-in for when the injury bug strikes.

Braves rally, sink Phils in extras again  —  After McCann's tying blast in ninth, Thorman homers in 11th  —  PHILADELPHIA — Two games into the season, it's already become apparent that the resilient Braves are more than willing to utilize their power to take advantage of what appears to be a very suspect Phillies bullpen.

Dodgers ready to celebrate 2007 home opener  —  Steve Sax to throw out first pitch, Nomar Garciaparra to receive his Comeback Player of the Year Award from the MLBPA  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodger Stadium will host its first game of the 2007 season on Monday, April 9 when the Los Angeles Dodgers …

15 more persons of baseball influence  —  Just beyond baseball's 50 most influential people is a group of 15 people — up-and-comers, women and silent types — who have an effect on the game:  —  Five up-and-comers  —  •Steve Greenberg: The son of Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg …

Heady play, but it can't save day for Marlins  —  WASHINGTON - It was the last play in his first loss as a major league manager, but Fredi Gonzalez still considered it among the finest examples of heads-up baseball he has witnessed.  —  With Wednesday's game tied and the bases loaded …

Starting Pitcher Leverage (Part 2)  —  Hi, and welcome back to The Hardball Times' ongoing series of articles on starting pitcher leveraging throughout baseball history.  In part one of this series I introduced the concept of starting pitcher leverage.  If you remember it, skip the next paragraph, which briefly summarizes it.

Selig tops list of baseball's 50 most influential  —  From those who control the on-field product, personnel, revenues and player movement to the producers and presenters of baseball to fans at ballparks and at home, we bring you the game's most influential.  —  1. Bud Selig