The Ricketts family is reportedly considering selling minority shares in the Cubs to help finance the $500 million renovation plan for Wrigley Field and the surrounding area.

The Nationals made a last-minute pitching change on Thursday. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was scratched because of flu-like symptoms and was replaced by right-hander Tanner Roark, who admirably helped the Nationals pound the Mets, 8-2, at Citi Field. Washington swept the three-game series to start the season.

No more sharing time, no more mixing and matching. Starting Friday, Lucas Duda will be the Mets’ starting first baseman.

For most of the afternoon, the Marlins repeatedly found themselves coming up 90 feet short of tying the game. In the eighth inning, their fortunes changed, and they were able to cash in with three two-out hits.

The Astros will have the most money to spend of any team during the international signing period beginning July 2, with a bonus pool of $5,015,400, the product of finishing last season with the worst record.

It raised a few eyebrows when Jacoby Ellsbury’s name did not appear in the third lineup of the season, but manager Joe Girardi is giving his center fielder a scheduled day off as a nod to his abbreviated spring.

Matt Kemp is expected to be in the Dodgers’ lineup for Friday’s home opener against the Giants. Any other expectations for Kemp are pure speculation, as he’s never had to return from a career-threatening injury like the damaged talus ankle bone that he suffered last year.

Mike Olt hit his first Major League home run and Emilio Bonifacio posted his 10th and 11th hits of the season to help Jason Hammel win his Cubs debut and post a 3-2 victory Thursday over the Pirates at PNC Park, giving Chicago manager Rick Renteria his first victory.

A swarm of bees in center field halted Thursday’s game between the D-backs and Giants one batter into the first inning at Chase Field.

Give Cubs reliever Justin Grimm an assist for helping Junior Lake stick to the team dress code. Lake saw two grey jerseys in his locker at the visiting clubhouse at PNC Park and grabbed one for Thursday’s game. But it was the wrong one.

Two members of the World Series champion Red Sox — designated hitter David Ortiz and second baseman Dustin Pedroia — are at the top of the current list of most popular Major League Baseball player jerseys at the outset of the 2014 regular season.

Rookie left-hander James Paxton threw seven shutout innings and the Mariners offense continued to roll as Seattle completed an impressive three-game sweep of the Angels with an 8-2 win Wednesday night.

Hanley Ramirez doubled in two runs and walked, stole second and scored another to lead the charge behind Dan Haren, who held the Padres to one run over six innings, striking out six in his Dodgers debut as Los Angeles won its first stateside series.

In a marathon game, pinch-hitter Tony Sanchez’s 16th-inning single lifted the Pirates to a 4-3 victory over the Cubs on Wednesday.

Tim Hudson graced the Giants with the magic he has sustained for 15 years, working 7 2/3 innings Wednesday night in San Francisco’s 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Indians manager Terry Francona came out on top in his first instant-replay challenge of the season.

Facing A’s closer Jim Johnson, who has been tormented by the Tribe over the course of his career, the Indians came through with three runs in the ninth to claim a 6-4 win in the second game of a day-night doubleheader at the Coliseum. The Indians split the twin bill and took two of three games in the season-opening series.