BALD EAGLE SEES PAXTON AS PERCH

» The biggest challenge MINNEAPOLIS for Seattle left-hander James Paxton at Minnesota’s home opener came even before he started pitching on the 38-degree afternoon.

Paxton was standing alone in left field at Target Field, taking a break from his warm-up throws for the pregame ceremony Thursday. That’s when a bald eagle — brought in for a flight over the playing field prior to the national anthem — apparently became confused.

Rather than soaring to the mound to reach his summoning handlers, the bird’s path went toward Paxton, causing him to jerk his body backward to avoid being grazed. Then the eagle, named Challenger, landed in the grass before circling back to find a perch on Paxton’s right shoulder. One of the trainers hustled out to lure the bird safely away.

Tebow does it again.

N.Y.» Tim Tebow BINGHAMTON, sure knows how to make an entrance. Playing his first game in Double-A ball, Tebow hit a three-run homer on the first pitch he saw. The New York Mets minor leaguer connected on a frigid night at home for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in the Eastern League, facing Portland.

Last April, Tebow also homered in his first at-bat with the Class-A Columbia Fireflies of the South Atlantic League.

This time, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback sent a liner far over the fence down the right-field line as the crowd at NYSEG Stadium stood and cheered the 30-yearold outfielder.

Footnotes.

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera left the game against the White Sox because of left hip flexor tightness. … The Nationals agreed to a two-year contract extension with general manager Mike Rizzo. … Mets all-star outfielder Michael Conforto has been activated off the disabled list and will make his season debut against Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals. — The Associated Press