Who's hot
Twins closer Jon Rauch, the former Morehead State pitcher, on Monday recorded his fifth save in as many opportunities.
Who's not
The Astros are off to their worst start since opening 0-9 in 1983. They've been shut out three times while facing a string of aces — Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Roy Halladay and Adam Wainwright already — and have scored a major league-low 13 runs.
Short hops
Mark McGwire, the Cardinals new hitting coach, drew a standing ovation at St. Louis' home opener Monday during pre-game ceremonies. McGwire earlier this year admitted to using steroids during his playing days with the Cardinals.
■ Jackie Standley, the mother of Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, was sentenced Monday at Lincoln, Neb., to four years of probation for a felony drug charge.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he is concerned about the slow pace of ballgames.
Selig says he is not necessarily worried about the overall length of baseball games. But he says the pace of some of them drags on when pitchers take too long between pitches and hitters constantly step out of the batter's box.
The commissioner was asked about umpire Joe West's recent comments to the Record of Bergen, N.J., in which he called the Yankees and Red Sox "pathetic and embarrassing" for dragging out games during their season-opening series.
Selig declined to comment directly on West. But he did say baseball is looking at ways to keep the game moving.
■ Three Tigers pitchers combined to throw 193 pitches and allow 20 baserunners against the Royals on Monday in a 10-5 loss that took 3 hours, 26 minutes.
Sidelined
Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins was a late scratch for Philadelphia's home opener Monday. Rollins strained his right calf while running in the outfield shortly before the game.
■ Indians' CF Grady Sizemore (tightness in his back), who played in 382 consecutive games between 2005 and 2008, sat out Cleveland's home opener Monday, his second missed game in a row. ... The Orioles placed 2B Brian Roberts (strained abdominal muscle) on the 15-day disabled list Monday rather than wait several days for him to recover. ... Padres starter Chris Young (strained right shoulder) was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Wednesday. Young said he should be able to return once his DL stint ends. ... The Blue Jays put 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring) on the 15-day DL. ... Cubs 1B Derek Lee (inflammation in right thumb) left Monday's game after the fourth inning. ... Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury bruised his ribs in a collision with teammate Adrian Beltre on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said he hopes Ellsbury will only miss a few days.
