Opening Day in Japan

Baseball Update:
As I type, the A's are taking on the Red Sox in Japan. I'll update the score when it's final.
UPDATE: For those who don't want to know the final score, don't click here.

The Cubs have decided to make Kerry Wood their closer for the season. Gee, I hope he holds up.

Meanwhile, the deal that would send Brian Roberts to Chicago looks to be off the table for now.

And the Cubbies are pursuing former Blue Jay Reed Johnson.

Speaking of closers, the Phillies have put theirs, Brad Lidge on the 15 day DL. He becomes eligible to come off on April 5th.

And the Twins sigend their closer Joe Nathan to a four year extension worth $47 million.

Two big name pitchers could open the season on the DL. The Braves ace John Smoltz decided not to test his sore shoulder on Monday but says he will try on Tuesday while the Yankees are waiting to see how Andy Pettitte's back feels.

It just keeps getting worse for the Giants after infielder Kevin Frandsen ruptured his left Achilles' tendon and could miss the rest of the season. Goodness that sounds painful, I practically fainted out of my chair just typing that.

Angels outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. is day to day with a sprained ankle. And his teammate Chone Figgins will be checked out on Tuesday after leaving the same game on Monday with cramps in his hand.

The Blue Jays did not fair quite as well after their new third baseman Scott Rolen had a screw placed in his fractured middle finger. He'll miss at least two weeks.

Good news for the Pirates, second baseman Freddy Sanchez will not need shoulder surgery and could be ready to go for Opening Day.

The Uptons sure did something right when they raised Justin and BJ. Click here to learn a little bit more about them.

In case you're like me and you chose to spend a fantasy pick or two on an up and comer like say Cameron Maybin or Evan Longoria, you may want to shelve them as it seems they'll be heading to the minors for the time being. Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia may also be heading in that direction.

Meanwhile, the Twins have decided make Carlos Gomez their starting center. And yes, those garbage bags are the outfield fence Carlos.

Speaking of Center, it looks like that's where Brandon Inge will be heading while the Tigers everyday centerfielder Curtis Granderson sits on the DL. It's not the trade he was looking for, but at least it's better than playing back up catcher.

The Royals got a visit from hockey great Wayne Gretzky. The Great One pined "I grew up wishing I could be a baseball player." Instead he had to settle with being like the greatest hockey player of all time. Life certainly sucks for him.

Legends Field will officially change its name to George M. Steinbrenner Field during ceromies held prior to the start of Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Owners and the MLBPA will meet to discuss new tougher drug agreement between the two sides. A new deal would also rescind suspensions givent to those mentioned in the Mitchell Report "as part of an overall amnesty for players mentioned in the report."

Nascar Update:
There are 47 drivers on the cup entry list for Martinsville. Click here to see the names.

Disasterous may not even be the proper word to explain Jamie McMurray's time at Roush Fenway Racing. Yeah, he got a win, but it's a crime to be that good of equipment and be on the outside of the top 35 in points like Jamie currenlty is, making qualifying all the more important for the 26 team.

If you're looking for David Reutiman this weekend at Martinsville, he'll be in the 44 not the 00 we're used to seeing.

Crew Chief Gene Nead has left the #21 Wood Brothers Ford, while Slugger Labbe has left Bill Davis Racing.

Racing is returning to Rockingham. Is there anything more sweeter than that?

News & Notes: Just because the men aren't playing doesn't mean the tournament action has come to a standstill. Two number 3 seats were outsetted on Monday including Cal and Baylor. Click here to update your bracket...Donnie Walsh has decided to step down as CEO of the Indiana Pacers. Rumor has it he'll be heading to New York to take over the Knicks. I say even with a three year, $15 million deal he got, he's still being underpaid...It was a crazy night in basketball with the Celtics falling to the 76ers 95-90...The Lakers coming back to beat the Warriors 123-119 in OT...And the Detriot finishing off the Suns and their win streak with a 110-105 overtime victory...Ok gold diggers, you can stop hounding married baseball, basketball and football players for chance to have that illegitimate child, because the young stars of the NHL are also rolling in the dough...With their 7-5 win over the Senators, the Canadiens have clinched a playoff spot...The 49ers have forfeited their 5th round draft pick after NLF commissioner Roger Goodell ruled the team tampered with Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs. So Monday goes down as a bad day for the Bay area...Ocho Cinco was nowhere to be found after skipping out on Bengals offseason work outs on Monday. Seems Chad es no bueno con los Bengals. (I bet you wouldn't have guessed I had six years of Spanish with a sentence like that.)...Danica Patrick is none too thrilled with the IRL's new weight rule...Sad news, former WCW wrestler Chase Tatum was found dead of an apparent drug overdose. He was only 34.

Check this out: Golden State Warriors star Baron Davis and Jessica Alba fiance and baby father Cash Warren have started a new website called ibeatyou. Click here for the link. (via justjared)

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate