Michael Conforto comes off disabled list to star for Mets  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Conforto came off the disabled list to hit a tiebreaking, two-rum homer off Stephen Strasburg, Yoenis Cespedes also went deep against the ace, and Jay Bruce Racked on an injurance glad slam …

Column: Matt Davidson's knack for long ball qualifies him as keeper for White Sox  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Before White Sox slugger Matt Davidson was making team history with four home runs in his first five games, he nearly made a drastic decision.  —  This was 2015, just after Davidson …

Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich out of lineup and ‘day to day’ with oblique tightness  —  It didn't take long for the Brewers' surplus of outfielders to become a plus.  —  As expected Thursday night, Christian Yelichwas out of the lineup for the series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park with right oblique tightness.

Manaea goes 8 innings, pitches A's to 6-2 win over Rangers  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Even as Sean Manaea eased through a 1-2-3 eighth inning and retired his 10th consecutive batter, Oakland manager Bob Melvin had no intention on sending the young lefty back out for the ninth.  —  Not yet anyway.

Power fuels Twins 4-2 comeback vs. Mariners in cold opener  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mitch Garver hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh for Minnesota, one inning after Miguel Sano tied the game with a two-run shot as the Twins powered their way past the Seattle Mariners for a 4-2 victory …

Wainwright gets nod as Cardinals face Diamondbacks  —  A new season starts with old traditions in St. Louis on Thursday night.  —  The Clydesdales making their usual jaunt around Busch Stadium.  The parade of Cardinals players in pickup trucks.  The team's Hall of Famers all dressed in red jackets …

Inside Baseball |  Kapler to face toughest critics  —  NEW YORK — Philly isn't an easy town.  Heck, they've booed Santa Claus there.  —  So what's going to be the reaction when a new manager hits town for the home opener — a 3:00pm ET start at Citizens Bank Park vs. the Marlins …

Aaron Judge looks to continue 2017 success vs. Orioles, but Yankees slugger isn't focused on home runs  —  Here comes the Judge.  —  Aaron Judge slugged his first home run of the season in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Rays and more could be on the way with the Orioles in town on Thursday for a four-game series.

Lost challenge sends Red Sox, Rays to extra innings  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox nearly walked off on a replay Thursday afternoon.  Instead, umpires sent the Red Sox and Rays — as well as a sellout Fenway Park crowd for the home opener — to extra innings.  —  Quiet at the plate all day …

On Deck: Blue Jays at Rangers  —  TORONTO BLUE JAYS at TEXAS RANGERS  —  STARTING PITCHERS  —  RHP Marco Estrada (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. LHP Matt Moore (0-1, 9.00 ERA)  —  Last year with the Giants, Moore was 6-15, 5.52.  The 15 losses were tied for the most in the NL, and his ERA was the highest among MLB qualified pitchers.

Kevin Siegrist Elects Free Agency  —  Left-handed reliever Kevin Siegrist, who was in camp with the Pirates on a minor league contract, has refused an assignment to Triple-A in favor of free agency, the team announced on Thursday (Twitter link via MLB.com's Adam Berry).

Let's play two!  The story behind the unique Opening Day of the Iowa Cubs  —  Iowa Cubs president/general manager Sam Bernabe has seen and done a lot as he enters his 35th season of minor league baseball this year.  —  But when the weather wouldn't cooperate this weekend …

Blue Jays feel Grichuk will get a handle on his hitting soon  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — I asked Sam the retired taxi driver on Thursday for his thoughts on the off-season trade that brought Randal Grichuk to the Blue Jays from St. Louis.  —  “Give him time,” the longtime Cardinals fanatic said as we drove to Toronto's Pearson airport.