Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is as ecstatic as ever about the state of the game. That was the main takeaway from his press conference at Sydney Cricket Ground prior to the opening of MLB’s 2014 season.

Can you even imagine Big Papi wearing another uniform? Isn’t that pretty much the bottom line in this thing? At a time when we’ve become accustomed to players switching teams, it would be tough to get your mind around the notion of David Ortiz with a club other than the Boston Red Sox.

Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu heads into his start in the finale of the Opening Series on Sunday with high expectations for his second season with the Dodgers.

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, who officially hit the disabled list when the Dodgers set their roster for Saturday’s season opener, went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double in a Triple-A game against the White Sox on Friday.

Tuffy Gosewisch was on the Opening Day roster as the D-backs’ backup catcher, but the battle between Gosewisch and Henry Blanco will continue once the team returns to Arizona next week.

The D-backs haven’t yet decided between Randall Delgado and top prospect Archie Bradley for the role of fifth starter.

For the Opening Series with the Dodgers, the D-backs were able to carry 10 relievers, but they will have to cut down to seven for the March 31 stateside opener with the Giants.

The Yankees on Friday night again saw the CC Sabathia they hope to see all season. Let’s not undersell this thing. This is the guy the Yankees must have to be relevant in the American League East.

All-Star catcher Buster Posey, who has started 77 regular-season games for the Giants at first base over the past four seasons, will get reacquainted with his backup position at Spring Training.

It has been an all-too-familiar sight in the most recent Yankees springs: Derek Jeter running at less than his top speed down the first-base line, appearing to favor his left ankle. It happened again on Friday, but everyone can exhale.

The Giants could win a third straight championship in an even-numbered season — if they are able to pitch something like they did during their 2010 and ’12 championship seasons.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti is not closing any doors, but he confirmed on Friday morning that extension talks with starter Justin Masterson had been postponed for at least the rest of Spring Training.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who had surgery Thursday evening after sustaining fractures above the left eye and nose after being hit by a Salvador Perez line drive on Wednesday, could begin working out in 10-14 days and may be ready to pitch in game conditions in four to six weeks.

Four years have passed since Jason Heyward electrified an Opening Day crowd at Turner Field by hitting a home run with the first swing of his career. He’s now preparing to enter the upcoming season with a longer tenure in Atlanta than any other player projected to be on the Braves’ Opening Day roster.

Jacoby Ellsbury tested his sore right calf by running on grass Friday, one day after the outfielder had a precautionary MRI, and the Yankees are eyeing Tuesday as his possible return date.

Cubs top prospect Javier Baez left Friday’s game with a right heel contusion after stepping awkwardly on first base in the sixth inning on an infield single.

In starting Yadier Molina behind the plate for a third straight day, manager Mike Matheny had the intention of pulling his veteran catcher midway through Friday’s game. He never did sub in another backstop thanks to the groove Molina was in with Adam Wainwright.