If you're keeping score, that's 1 for Joba in pen  —  News flash: New Yorkers can be brusque, impolite and sometimes even rude.  Joba Chamberlain reporting.  Film at 11.  —  Thanks, Joba, for restating the obvious for those of us who can be honest about ourselves.

Webb will miss next start  —  Arizona ace dealing with right shoulder stiffness  —  PHOENIX — Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb will miss his scheduled start on Saturday against the Dodgers with stiffness in his right shoulder.  —  Webb told reporters after his Opening Day start …

Oakland claims Giese  —  This release from the Athletics:  —  The Oakland A's claimed right-handed pitcher Dan Giese off waivers from the New York Yankees and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, the club announced today.  To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's designated right-handed pitcher Chris Schroder for assignment.

Skeptics' heat is on Sabathia … BALTIMORE - The Yankees insist CC Sabathia is healthy, but the heating pad, a dip in velocity and his awful results on Opening Day are causing some knowledgeable baseball observers to wonder what was happening when the lefty got rocked by the Orioles.

The World Series Rings of the 21st Century  —  This afternoon, for the first time since 1981, the Philadelphia Phillies presented their players and staff with some Bling.  —  Specifically, World Series Championship Bling.  —  And there it is.  That puppy is loaded with diamonds.  Holy crap.

Rockies win series in Arizona  —  PHOENIX — Franklin Morales shuffled to the back door of the cramped Triple-A Las Vegas clubhouse last weekend, eager to talk.  A kid, who was often guarded and untrusting, eschewed a translator to explain why he was going to be “100 percent better” this season.

Wagner to throw off mound Tuesday  —  Former closer hopes to be back with the Mets by August  —  CINCINNATI — While the Mets revel in the Opening Day performance of their revamped bullpen, the pitcher who was to have been their closer this season is preparing to take a significant step …

Projecting politics & baseball with Nate Silver  —  Until last year, Nate Silver was a minor celebrity among the sorts of baseball fans who value VORP far more than say, RBIs (shady characters such as myself, in other words.)  Then, Nate started a little Web site called fivethirtyeight.com.

YES, Verizon reach Video-on-Demand agreement  —  Verizon FiOS TV First to offer YES' Yankees Games On-Demand in New York Area  —  NEW YORK - The YES Network, the most-watched regional sports network in the country for the past six years, and Verizon, the only major provider that delivers …

Glavine sharp in simulated game in Gwinnett  —  The Gwinnett Braves travel to Charlotte today to open their inaugural season Thursday against the Knights with prospect Tommy Hanson on the mound.  —  He'll be followed in the rotation by Jo-Jo Reyes, James Parr, Charlie Morton and Todd Redmond.

Royals claim Metcalf  —  The Royals have claimed third baseman Travis Metcalf off waivers from the Rangers.  To replace him, the Rangers have signed Esteban German....Metcalf was the Rangers primary backup at third base behind Michael Young but the club needed the 40-man roster space.

Baseball payrolls drop by $47 million from Opening Day 2008  —  NEW YORK — The recession has hit baseball salaries.  —  Teams cut payrolls for their active rosters and disabled lists by $47 million from Opening Day in 2008 to the first day of this season, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Red Sox's Baldelli Revels in (and Braces for) His Homecoming  —  BOSTON — Throughout his decade of crouching behind home plate in Fenway Park, Rich Gedman still saw himself as a kid in the center-field bleachers.  Lou Merloni set major league records for utilityman popularity.

Gomes to play for Louisville  —  When Triple-A Louisville opens it season on Thursday, outfielder Jonny Gomes will be on the roster.  Gomes accepted the assignment on Wednesday instead of choosing free agency.  —  “He's down there,” GM Walt Jocketty said.

Average MLB spring training attendance down 7.7 percent  —  NEW YORK - Major League Baseball set an overall spring training attendance record boosted by an increase in games, but the average attendance declined by 7.7 percent as the recession kept crowds down.