Mr. Comeback: Brantley leads Indians to 3-2 win over Royals  —  Michael Brantley has perfected the comeback season.  Now he has to master completing one.  —  Brantley singled home two runs on the first pitch of his first at-bat this season, and  —  Carlos Carrasco worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning, leading the

Corey Knebel placed on DL; Brewers recall Adrian Houser  —  The Milwaukee Brewers have placed closer Corey Knebel on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and recalled Adrian Houser from Class AA Biloxi to take his place on the 25-man roster.

Aaron Boone is already more impressed with Gary Sanchez's defense than Joe Girardi ever was  —  Aaron Boone knows a few opponents eventually are going to pay for Gary Sanchez's opening-week offensive slump, but the first-year manager also firmly believes the work his All-Star catcher continues …

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals … In the second inning on Opening Day, Jarrod Dyson hit a routine chopper to second.  The Rockies' D.J. LeMahieu gloved it, wasted no time unloading it and narrowly beat Dyson to first.  In the scouts' section behind home plate …

Do the Phillies really have enough at-bats to go around Gabe Kapler's lineup?  |  David Murphy  —  Despite all the attention that has been paid to Gabe Kapler's in-game decision making, from his use of analytics to his utilization of the bullpen, the biggest threat to his first season …

Mariners' James Paxton unfazed by eagle encounter, but other players were terrified  —  Seattle Mariners left-handed pitcher James Paxton and opposing Twins players had different instincts when a bald eagle landed on Paxton on Thursday in Minneapolis, instead of soaring to the mound to reach its handlers.

Knizner, Adolis Garcia and Schrock all sock homers as Cardinals' farm teams open  —  Max Schrock had two days.  —  Both took the swings they flashed during spring training into their openers Thursday as Cardinals' affiliates and minor-league baseball began their seasons around the country.

Blue Jays face kindler, gentler Rangers fans  —  ARLINGTON, Tex. — There definitely was something missing in the air on Friday night at Globe Life Park when the Blue Jays jogged on the field to take on the Texas Rangers.  —  There was actual electricity, as the local weather office called for thunderstorms.

Hernandez carries Jupiter to 3-2 win over Palm Beach  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Elieser Hernandez tossed a one-hit complete game, leading the Jupiter Hammerheads to a 3-2 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals on Friday.  —  Hernandez allowed two runs.  —  Jupiter took the lead …

Next Slide  —  Are you subscribed to our “Talkin' Tigers” podcast?  If not, you should be: Subscribe via iTunes or Google Play now.  —  It's time for the second episode of the 2018 season of the Talkin' Tigers podcast.  —  Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the four things …

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jared Hughes: ‘I feel like everywhere I play I make friends’  —  PITTSBURGH, Pa. - There's one glaring inaccuracy in the 2018 Cincinnati Reds media guide.  —  A paradox, really.  —  The scowling, boorish photo of 32-year-old relief pitcher Jared Hughes could not be further from the truth.

History!  Iowa Cubs among first minor league teams to experience new extra innings rule  —  Iowa Cubs first baseman Efren Navarro didn't know what was happening when he saw Oklahoma City Dodgers relief pitcher Edward Paredes jogging out to second base to start the first extra inning of the season between the two teams.

Detroit Tigers beginning to trust pitcher Joe Jimenez in big situation  —  CHICAGO — Joe Jimenez has earned some trust.  —  And that trust was never more evident early this season than on Thursday afternoon, in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire called …

Fire Frogs coach Mike Maroth embraces lessons from long-lost season with Detroit Tigers  —  As Mike Maroth approached baseball infamy, Detroit Tigers manager Alan Trammell called the pitcher into the office.  —  It was time to talk.  —  It was mid-August in 2003, and Maroth was not far removed …

Time for Rays to change their pitching plan  —  BOSTON — Rays manager Kevin Cash is already so weary of explaining the Rays' — pick your adjective, within the bookends of idiotic and innovative — pitching plan of three starters and five multi-inning relievers that he joked Wednesday they were going to change the terminology.

Column: Dealing with raised expectations also part of White Sox learning process  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Hours before the bullpen implosion on Snow Day at White Sox Park, general manager Rick Hahn was discussing the need to balance the long-term goal of developing prospects with the daily goal of winning ballgames.