Playing spoiler in another team's season opener, the Cardinals teed off against Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo early and often Friday en route to an 11-5 win that featured home runs by four different St. Louis players.

The Rays came from behind to take a 7-6 win over the Yankees on Friday afternoon, with a sold-out Opening Day crowd of 34,078 watching at Tropicana Field.

Clayton Kershaw, who left his Opening Day start for the Dodgers Thursday after three innings because of the flu, said he was feeling better Friday and was “pretty sure” he would be up to starting L.A.'s home opener Tuesday.

After Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the entirety of the Cardinals' 2011 World Series championship season, Adam Wainwright will get the ball Saturday at Miller Park against Zack Greinke and the Brewers.

Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane came through the right-field tunnel when he arrived at Minute Maid Park on Friday afternoon and walked around the perimeter of the field before stepping up to his office high above the playing surface.

Nick Markakis — who routinely gets one of the loudest ovations in introductions — didn't just suit up and start. He stole the show; blasting a homer and a triple and picking up three RBIs in the O's 4-2 season-opening win Friday over the Twins.

Rick Sutcliffe threw the first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards to Chris Hoiles, and they returned Friday to help the Orioles celebrate the park's 20th anniversary.

Adam Dunn hit a solo homer to tie a Major League record with his eighth Opening Day blast, but the White Sox and left-hander John Danks dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rangers on Friday in Arlington.

The Orioles took the first step Friday in trying to put 2011 behind them. The Twins, attempting to do the same, get the chance to even the series on Saturday as Minnesota's Francisco Liriano opposes Baltimore's Tommy Hunter at Camden Yards.

Ian Kinsler homered for the second straight Opening Day and Michael Young knocked in the go-ahead run as the Rangers slipped past the White Sox, 3-2, on Friday. Colby Lewis struck out nine over six innings to get the win.

White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy enters the regular season as healthy as he's been in years, while Rangers hurler Derek Holland looks to build off his breakout season a year ago.

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg smiled when asked on Friday afternoon about his expectations for attendance at Tropicana Field this season.

The Dodgers on Friday filed their plan to emerge from bankruptcy on April 30, which is keyed to the sale of the club and Dodger Stadium to Guggenheim Baseball Management for $2 billion.

Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey is looking forward to his return to the Boston bullpen rather than dwelling on the thumb surgery that will likely keep him sidelined until after the All-Star Break.

Chipper Jones was encouraged by how his surgically repaired left knee reacted as he batted against Braves teammate Randall Delgado during a simulated game at Citi Field on Friday afternoon.

Omar Vizquel has earned plenty of money in his career, and he has diverse interests outside baseball, but he has no plan to retire as long as his body will allow him to continue playing.

Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda will remain behind at the club's Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla., when the team goes north, and he's unlikely to pitch at the Major League level in April.