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.

Mets winning by playing small ball, analytics an encouraging sign for the rest of the season  —  On Opening Day at Citi Field, a booming home run or two from Yoenis Cespedes, something akin to Giancarlo Stanton's eye-popping Yankee debut, would have made for a sexier storyline than singling Carlos Martinez and the Cardinals to death.

Springer, World Series champ Astros top Texas 4-0 in opener  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - World Series MVP George Springer hit a leadoff homer in the season opener for the second year in a row, Justin Verlander pitched six scoreless innings and the Houston Astros started their championship defense …

Giancarlo Stanton hits pair of home runs, drives in four as Yankees beat Blue Jays, 6-1 on Opening Day  —  TORONTO -You cannot stop him.  —  Giancarlo Stanton was a smashing success in his Yankee debut, blasting two homers, as the Bombers made a winner out of first-year manager Aaron Boone …

Melancon joins Bumgarner, Samardzija on Giants' DL  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday's opener, joining starters Madison Bumgarner and starter Jeff Samardzija on the sidelines.

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.

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 …

Brian Cashman still has full confidence in Aaron Boone as new Yankees manager  —  TORONTO — Heading into a season of great expectations, Brian Cashman feels that he's hired the right manager.  —  “I have no second-guessing or concerns,” Cashman replied Thursday when asked …

Markakis' 3-run homer gives Braves 8-5 walk-off vs Phillies  —  Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth inning, capping the  —  Atlanta Braves' comeback from a five-run deficit that rocked the  —  Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 Thursday and ruined the managing debut of Gabe Kapler.

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.

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 …

Angels Q&A with Jeff Fletcher: Concern for Shohei Ohtani?  —  With the Angels' 2018 season officially underway, we accepted reader questions on our Angels Facebook page.  Here are some of the questions and answers.  —  Q: Angels fans are already saying Shohei Ohtani is a bust but I'm not shocked about this coming from our fan base.

Alex Rodriguez's image makeover ‘the greatest rehab ever’  —  Alex Rodriguez played his final baseball game in 2016.  In retirement, he's raised a significant question: Has any athlete's image ever changed so dramatically, from bad to good?  —  “It's absolutely unbelievable,” …

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.

White Sox's Matt Davidson blasts 3 homers in opener  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Matt Davidson of the Chicago White Sox became the fourth player in major league history to hit three home runs in an Opening Day game on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS