Uehara guides O's past Yankees  —  Orioles starter allows one run over five innings in MLB debut; Markakis goes 3-for-3 with a homer and 3 RBIs  —  Koji Uehara allowed one run over five innings in his major league debut, Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Pirates vs. Cardinals, 4-8-09: LaRoche out of lineup; Ford to miss Indy opener  —  ST. LOUIS — Zach Duke, who will start the home opener next week, makes his season debut today after a really good spring training in which he limited opponents to two or fewer runs in seven of his eight starts.

ID released of man who died after Angel Stadium attack  —  27-year-old involved in fight with 2 others just after end of Angels-Oakland A's game, officials say.  —  Recommend  —  ANAHEIM - A 27-year-old man died early today from injuries he suffered during an assault at Angel Stadium on opening day, authorities said.

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.

An Interview With Michael Schur  —  Michael Schur is my hero.  He's smart.  He's hilarious.  He wrote for Saturday Night Live.  He wrote for The Office.  He wore a neck beard on The Office.  He was Ken Tremendous on “Fire Joe Morgan.”  He is Regis Philbin's son-in-law.

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.

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.