The Latest: Orioles' Gentry robs homer from Twins' Rosario  —  Kansas City Royals Alex Gordon runs sprints on during a baseball workout, Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals open the baseball season on Thursday afternoon when they host the Chicago White Sox.

Mickey Callaway off to fast start as new Mets manager earns win in season opener  —  Unlike his predecessor Terry Collins, who had a penchant for colorful phrases like “Cripes” and “Stinkin',” Mets rookie manager Mickey Callaway was even-keeled and fairly vanilla with his quotes following his first victory in Flushing.

Giancarlo Stanton hits rocket home run in first at-bat with Yankees … When moving from place to place in the world of professional sports — whether that's being traded or signed — there is sometimes an adjustment period.  —  That theory may not apply to Giancarlo Stanton, the new right fielder for the New York Yankees.

Rusty Staub, beloved Mets icon, dead at 73  —  In every way, Rusty Staub, the beloved Mets' hitting icon, who passed away early Thursday morning at age 73, was bigger than life — a bigger-than-life baseball personality, humanitarian, gourmet chef, wine connoisseur, friend-to-all and …

Reds play catch between raindrops, await opener vs Nationals  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Closer Raisel Iglesias skirted the tarp-covered infield along with the rest of the Cincinnati Reds pitchers, heading for the outfield and a quick game of catch before the rains returned.

Japanese baseball stars returning home from MLB to extend careers … Daisuke Matsuzaka says he still has something to prove.  —  Koji Uehara wants to help his former team regain its past glory.  —  The two former U.S. major leaguers are among several Japanese stars that will be looking …

Grease fire causes smoke inside Tropicana Field before Rays opener  —  A small grease fire in the upper deck of Tropicana Field on Thursday caused a smoky haze to fall over the playing field five hours before the first pitch of the regular-season opener between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.

Giants place closer Mark Melancon on 10-day DL with elbow injury  —  The San Francisco Giants placed closer Mark Melancon on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a right elbow flexor strain.  —  The move was made retroactive to March 26.  Right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill his roster spot.

Masahiro Tanaka looking forward to season debut despite getting passed over for Yankees' Opening Day start  —  TORONTO — Masahiro Tanaka said it wasn't a strange feeling that he wasn't starting on Opening Day.  But given that he had started the previous three season-openers for the Yankees, it must've been at least a little weird.

Sources: Cardinals working to close a deal with Greg Holland  —  NEW YORK  • A few days after suggesting they were ready to go into the regular season without a closer and throw a variety of pitchers at the ninth inning, including rookie Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals have made a move to answer their biggest question.

It's time for some opening day music … In one of the final moves in constructing their opening-day roster, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Andrew Toles to triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, clearing a path for outfielder Joc Pederson and utility man Kyle Farmer to occupy the last two spots on the bench.

Chicago sportswriter vowed to jump in Lake Michigan if Ian Happ led off with homer, and well ...  Chicago Tribune  —  Apparently, anybody who doubts Ian Happ's power can just go jump in the lake.  —  Just before the Cubs' opener at Miami on Thursday, Bleacher Nation reporter Michael Cerami promised …

Stefan Stevenson: MLB team in San Antonio?  Commissioner would like to see it  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — How about a trip to San Antonio for a three-game series with the Rangers and, say, San Antonio Texians?  Yes, I spelled that right.  Consult your history books.  —  Or maybe the San Antonio Alamos or San Antonio Riverwalks?