Hanley Ramirez's transition from shortstop to third base remains a work in progress.

Rays right-hander James Shields will make the fourth Opening Day start of his career on Friday against the Yankees.

Officially, it will be Jake Arrieta's first Opening Day start. But manager Buck Showalter, who informed the 26-year-old right-hander Monday that he will get the ball Friday afternoon, feels differently.

What Michael Young is to the Rangers' lineup, Colby Lewis is to their pitching staff. That's why he will take the baseball and be Texas' starting pitcher on Opening Day.

Rockies right-hander Jeremy Guthrie can approach Friday's Opening Day start against the Astros at Minute Maid Park with a mix of veteran's calm and newbie's wonder.

At 26 years old and with his first career Opening Day start coming on Friday in Arlington, John Danks seems poised for the challenge.

Jered Weaver will kick off arguably the most anticipated season in Angels history as the Opening Day starter.

As part of his trip to South Florida for the opening of Marlins Park, Commissioner Bud Selig visited with patients at the Miami VA Healthcare System.

Brian Ward, a catcher at the Class A level, was suspended for 50 games after violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. It was the second violation for a drug of abuse for Ward, who will begin serving his suspension effective immediately. Dan Duquette, Orioles vice president for baseball operations, was non-committal about Ward's future.

The Mets made a few last-minute housekeeping moves on Wednesday in advance of Thursday's regular-season opener, placing two pitchers on the disabled list and purchasing the contracts of two players from Triple-A Buffalo. Pedro Beato and D.J. Carrasco will begin the season on the DL due to injuries suffered toward the end of Spring Training.

On Wednesday, Cleveland placed Grady Sizemore on the 60-day disabled list, which officially takes him out of the fold until at least June 3.

On Wednesday, Ubaldo Jimenez said he was surprised by the punishment he received from Major League Baseball for hitting Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki with a pitch.

Shaun Marcum left Wednesday's Cactus League finale ready for more after allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings against the D-backs.

After launching the season in Tokyo with a split of two games, the A's and Mariners resume their unorthodox four-game series on Friday night at the Coliseum in Oakland.

Before the festivities and ballgame got under way on Wednesday night, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria made a declaration. The 2012 season, the franchise's first at Marlins Park, is being dedicated to the fans of Miami and South Florida.

Charlie Manuel declined to announce his Opening Day lineup before Wednesday evening's workout at PNC Park, where the Phillies play the Pirates on Thursday afternoon to begin the 2012 season.

The MLB Fan Cave Dwellers joined up with MLB Network personalities Sean Casey, Al Leiter and Kevin Millar on Wednesday to turn the Empire State Building's lights red, white and blue in celebration of America's game before the Cardinals played the Marlins on Opening Night.