It’s Opening Day!
Although it’s an abbreviated schedule, baseball begins the regular season Sunday with three games, including the World Series champion Chicago Cubs visiting the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:35 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN (Cox 29).
tested his sore right calf muscle again before Saturday’s exhibition finale, but he was not in the starting lineup and could be on the disabled list before Sunday morning. Rangers manager
said the club was still evaluating, but allowed he was giving the 20-year veteran some time “work through things in his own mind,” before rendering a decision.
Beltre’s time on the field has been limited by two calf injuries. He was limited at the start of spring training, then left for the World Baseball Classic for two weeks. Beltre had only 12 at-bats for the Rangers this spring and another 15 for the Dominican Republic in the WBC. He had only one hit.
If Beltre is placed on the DL, the Rangers will likely use some combination of
and at third base. It would also open a clearer path for
to begin the season in the majors.
Hunter, Bourjos, Weeks make Rays roster
Reliever outfielder first baseman
will be on Tampa Bay’s opening day roster after joining the Rays on minor league contracts.
The team said Saturday that Hunter, Bourjos, Weeks and catcher will be selected and added to the major league roster before Sunday’s season opener against the New York Yankees.
and
Sources: Mets’ Lugo headed to disabled list
New York Mets righthander is headed for the disabled list to begin the season, sources said, which would give
the final remaining spot in the bullpen.
Lugo underwent an MRI exam on Saturday that revealed no structural damage to his right arm, sources said. Lugo had been experiencing what manager has termed fatigue stemming from the righty’s workload this spring, including a stint with team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
Around the horn
•The Boston Red Sox have recalled infielder from Triple-A Pawtucket and optioned infielder
Selsky was optioned to Pawtucket earlier in the week, but manager
ultimately decided he was worth bringing back. Selsky, 27, was claimed off waivers during the offseason
Farrell says the roster will remain in a state of flux for a couple weeks, but adds, “I’m excited about the group we’ll open up Monday with.”
•Toronto Blue Jays manager has received a contract extension through the 2019 season after guiding Toronto to the playoffs the last two years. The team said Saturday there is a club option for the 2020 season.
FROM WIRE REPORTS