Yapping Phillie is looking silly  —  At 1-6, Rollins won't back down  —  Chances are, Jimmy Rollins didn't envision a day like this back in January when he brazenly declared the Phillies the team to beat in the NL East: a day when his team fell to 1-6; when he made a crucial error …

Walker Will Show Ex-Mates No Mercy  —  Don't expect Baltimore Orioles reliever Jamie Walker to take it easy on his old mates this week if he happens to get in a game against the Detroit Tigers.  —  Walker, who spent five years with the Tigers, left Detroit during the offseason after the Orioles gave …

Kevin Millar: They'll Love Him on Broadway  —  By now, you've probably seen Kevin Millar of the Orioles gettin' jiggy with the Ray Lewis dance Monday in Baltimore.  Pretty funny stuff.  What we've got here is Millar back in his younger days, singing vintage Bruce Springsteen.

Cabrera a fixture but rarely on base  —  MINNEAPOLIS — In spring training, the Yankees talked about needing to find at-bats for Melky Cabrera.  He was so valuable to them last season, but they weren't sure where they would fit him in with regulars Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu.

Young's four-year deal worth $14.5 million  —  SAN DIEGO — Padres pitcher Chris Young, who's flirted with no-hitters and been tough on the road, agreed Tuesday to a $14.5 million, four-year contract that would be worth $23 million if the team exercises a 2011 option.

joint custody  —  the p-d's morning elbow report cuts right to the chase: "Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter probably will remain disabled for the rest of this month after an examination Monday disclosed that he is suffering from what the club called moderate arthritis and a mild impingement of the right elbow." …

Yankees 8, Twins 2  — After spending much of the offseason criticizing the Twins' decision to fill the starting rotation with washed-up veterans rather than trust their young talent, many of you probably expect me to go off on a long rant about Sidney Ponson's eight-run outing last night.

Notes: Cruz may find more playing time  —  Washington hints at finding a regular role for young outfielder  —  ARLINGTON — Nelson Cruz was back as the Texas Rangers' starting right fielder Monday night, and manager Ron Washington hinted that the situation could soon be a constant.

Pirates Notebook: Castillo would welcome starting duty ... anywhere  —  Pirates manager Jim Tracy smiles as he is introduced before the home opener yesterday at PNC Park.  —  Jose Castillo, despite being clearly dissatisfied with his new role on the bench after three years of starting …

Old days are impossible to explain to newcomers  —  It's hard to explain to the young people that there was life before $312 box seats, bloody socks, $60 parking spaces, and hundreds of photographers on site to shoot two guys from Japan facing one another in a midweek night game in April.

Season young, but this homegrown-veteran D-Backs mix looks good  —  The big moment of anticipation Monday night at Chase Field came before the first pitch, when the pregame introductions reached Randy Johnson.  —  Would fans cheer?  Boo?  Care?  —  So much for the off-season hand-wringing …

Helton miffed about sitting  —  Los Angeles - Todd Helton knows hitting.  Not sitting.  Asked about not starting Monday after batting practice, Helton exclusively blew off The Denver Post.  After the game, the burn had cooled following a 6-3 Rockies victory - propelled, in part, by his replacement, Jeff Baker.