Jordan Schafer and Growth Hormone  —  I'm heading out the door to catch a plane to Memphis, so I don't have much time.  But, I want to briefly comment on the 50-game suspension of Braves prospect Jordan Schafer for violating MLB's drug policy in regard to human growth hormone.  I'll offer a few thoughts.

Buckner's appearance marks end of an error  —  The pause lasted a full 13 seconds.  Bill Buckner sat at a table in the Fenway Park interview room, a microphone in front of him, and pondered the question.  Had he had second thoughts about throwing out the first pitch at yesterday's home opener …

Two moves coming?  —  Alberto Gonzalez was pulled out of tonight's game for Scranton, which could mean he's headed here to replace Derek Jeter on the roster.  —  Jorge Posada is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.  He said it would be in Kansas City.  The Yankees can have their own doctors read the results then decide what to do.

Billingsley off-kilter in first start  —  Once again, big early hole foils Dodgers against D-backs  —  PHOENIX — Joe Torre offered up last week's rain-delay fiasco as one explanation for Chad Billingsley's poor first start Tuesday night, but the young right-hander wasn't making excuses after getting beat.

Cheer up Mets fans: You can't collapse in April  —  Mets fans, look at the bright side: Your team will never disappoint as many of you on Opening Day as it did Tuesday, ever again.  Guaranteed.  —  Never again will 56,350 people leave a Mets home opener with their chins dragging the ground …

Crasnick: Past slow starters who found their mojo … Barely a week into the season, the baseball version of “Campaign 2008” has a jumbled, upside-down feel to it.  Dennis Kucinich is a fundraising machine, Ron Paul leads in pledged delegates and Sam Brownback has vowed to take this thing …

Giants place LF Roberts on DL  —  SAN FRANCISCO (TICKER) —The San Francisco Giants on Tuesday placed left fielder Dave Roberts on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left knee.  —  Roberts has been battling soreness in his knee since spring training.

The Big Rotowski: Players in danger of losing jobs … Homer Simpson has job security.  —  I mean, no matter what that dude does as an inspector at that nuclear power plant, no matter how many half-brained careers he stops and starts in place of his safety stewardship of Sector 7-G …

Buck 0-fer finally over as he joins hit parade  —  (04-09) 04:00 PDT Toronto — Travis Buck finally has hitting stats that don't read zero.  —  In the second inning Tuesday, the A's second-year outfielder put an end to an 0-for-22 streak with an RBI double down the line in right off A.J. Burnett.

Hicks wants Rangers to start at home  —  Texas owner unhappy with team opening seasons on road  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks said he has brought it to Commissioner Bud Selig's attention that the Rangers have opened on the road in seven of the last eight seasons and that needs to change.

Infield defense among the issues Tigers must address  —  Considering nothing the Tigers have done the past week is rational, an armchair manager is going to try his hand at shaking up a team that somehow is 0-7.  —  Here are 11 ideas from “Manager for a Day,” who isn't afraid to employ …

Sides differ on losing Cordero to Reds  —  Melvin asserts he didn't get chance to match offer  —  Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin didn't think he was going to lose Francisco Cordero last winter.  —  The veteran closer indicated that he wanted to return in 2008 …

Marlins, Spitzer enjoy D.C.'s infamous Mayflower  —  WASHINGTON — Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins' star shortstop, stepped outside the team hotel on his way to lunch when a tour bus screeched to a sudden stop on Connecticut Avenue.  —  Pressed against the windows, dozens of passengers aimed their cameras and snapped away.

Hi A Dish: Lara's Circus Day  —  As we did last year, we'll look around the minors every weekday with the Daily Dish, a supplement to the Baseball America Prospect Report, which is available by email every weekday.  —  Christian Lara found himself on both the winning and losing team of Lancaster's 6-3 win …