MLB

April 1, 2008 -- ESPN’s Major League Baseball Opening Night telecast – Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals on March 30 in the debut of Nationals Park – averaged 2,700,000 households and 3,656,000 viewers to become the most-viewed Opening Night ever on ESPN networks. The previous record audience was St. Louis at Cincinnati, April 3, 1994, which averaged 2,595,000 households and 3,612,000 viewers. The corresponding 2.8 rating for the Atlanta at Washington game was the highest-rated Opening Night since Chicago at Seattle in 1996 (3.4 rating).    » read more »

ESPN’s Navy Moto X World Championships and Moto Icon, Brian Deegan, to Throw Out First Pitch

April 1, 2008 -- Moto X World Championships participant Kyle Loza and motocross riders Jesse Jolson and Jimmie McGuire will perform on a ramp-to-ramp jump at Petco Park before the San Diego Padres vs. Houston Astros game. Brian Deegan will throw out the first pitch.

WHO:

Moto X World Championships athletes:

* Brian Deegan: 10-time X Games medalist and one of the most influential riders in freestyle, landing the first 360 in competition at X Games Nine

* Kyle Loza: Made his debut at X Games 13 last year and took home a gold in the Best Trick competition with his famous body arial the “Volt”    » read more »

- ESPN Home Entertainment in Conjunction with Genius Products Set to Launch New DVD Series on April 15, 2008 Providing Fans an Unprecedented Look at Sports’ Biggest Stars

March 31, 2008 -- ESPN in conjunction with Genius Products, LLC, is set to launch ESPN INSIDE ACCESS, a brand new DVD series providing fans an unprecedented look inside the lives and careers of sports’ living legends. ESPN has scoured the vaults for rare game footage, exclusive interviews and off-the-field features to bring fans the most comprehensive look at today’s superstars. The first release in this highly anticipated series, ESPN INSIDE ACCESS: DEREK JETER, will hit stores nationwide on April 15, 2008, available for $19.95 SRP.    » read more »

DENVER, 03/30/2008 -- The Colorado Rockies made the following roster moves today to set the club's Opening Day 25-man roster. Left-handed pitcher Micah Bowie and outfielder Scott Podsednik have been signed to major league contracts. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Jason Hirsh was placed on the 15-day disabled list (strained right shoulder).

Below is a listing of the Colorado Rockies' 2008 MLB Opening Day roster:

Right-handed pitchers:
Taylor Buchholz
Aaron Cook
Manny Corpas
Matt Herges
Ubaldo Jimenez
Luis Vizcaino
Kip Wells

Left-handed pitchers:
Micah Bowie
Jeff Francis
Brian Fuentes
Franklin Morales
Mark Redman

Catchers:
Chris Iannetta
Yorvit Torrealba

Infielders:
Garrett Atkins
Jeff Baker
Clint Barmes
Todd Helton
Jayson Nix
Troy Tulowitzki    » read more »

Transactions for March 29

DENVER, 03/29/2008 -- The Colorado Rockies announced the following roster moves after the game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Friday: right-handed pitchers Jose Capellan and Josh Towers cleared outright waivers, and their contracts have been outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Additionally, catcher Edwin Bellorin, outfielder Cory Sullivan and right-handed pitcher Ryan Speier have been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.    » read more »

March 31 Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals

03/28/2008 -- Broadcast: Phillies Preview on CBS 3, 2:30 p.m. ... Live Game Coverage: CBS 3; WPHT 1210 AM; WDAS 1480 AM (Spanish).

12:05 p.m.: All gates open; All fans receive a 2007 National League East Champions Pennant, compliments of Modell's Sporting Goods.

Opening Day Block Party, Citizens Bank Way: Plenty of music featuring the popular Mr. Greengenes, as well as food and fun! Party is open to all fans and takes place until 3 p.m.    » read more »

03/28/2008 -- The Philadelphia Phillies made the following transactions today:

• Right-hander Tim Lahey was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs
• Right-hander J.D. Durbin, infielder Ray Olmedo and outfielder Chris Snelling were outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
• Infielder Chris Woodward was signed to a Minor League contract

Tim Lahey, 26, went to Spring Training with Chicago Cubs after being selected in December's Rule 5 Draft from Minnesota and appeared in 11 spring games. He was originally drafted by Minnesota in 2004 as a catcher and was converted to a pitcher after that season. Last year between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester, Lahey went 8-4 with 14 saves and a 3.65 ERA in 52 games. He will wear #33.    » read more »

Season opener includes stellar pitching matchup, giant U.S. flag presented by hundreds of firefighters, a helicopter fly-over and a salute to wildfire responders

SAN DIEGO, 03/29/2008 -- The San Diego Padres will begin their quest for their third National League West crown in four years Monday, March 31, when they host the Houston Astros at 7:05 p.m. PDT.

The game features two of the most dominating pitchers in Major League Baseball. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy will start for the San Diego Padres, while the Houston Astros will counter with right-hander Roy Oswalt.

The sold out contest marks the fifth straight home opener sellout since the team moved to PETCO Park in 2004.    » read more »

03/28/2008, SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres today finalized their 25-man roster Opening Day with outfielder Jim Edmonds being placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to March 21) with a strained right calf. San Diego Padres Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.

Jim Edmonds suffered the injury on March 6 in a Spring Training game in Peoria, Ariz., against the Colorado Rockies.

The San Diego Padres open the 2008 Championship Season Monday at 7:05 p.m. (PT) against the Houston Astros. 2007 Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy will face Houston Astros hurler Roy Oswalt.

Source: MLB

MIAMI, 03/30/2008 -- The Florida Marlins, who open the 2008 regular season on Monday, March 31 vs. the New York Mets at 4:10 p.m. ET at Dolphin Stadium, today set their 2008 Opening Day roster. The announcement was made by President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest.

The Marlins 25-man roster currently stands as follows:

Right-handed pitchers (7): Lee Gardner, Kevin Gregg, Logan Kensing, Matt Lindstrom, Justin Miller, Ricky Nolasco, Rick VandenHurk

Left-handed pitchers (5): Mark Hendrickson, Andrew Miller, Scott Olsen, Renyel Pinto, Taylor Tankersley

Catchers (2): Paul Hoover, Matt Treanor

Infielders (6): Robert Andino, Jorge Cantu, Mike Jacobs, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Jason Wood    » read more »

03/28/2008, MIAMI -- Jeff Conine, "Mr. Marlin," has signed a contract with the Florida Marlins organization and retired from Major League Baseball as a Florida Marlin after a 17-year Major League career. The announcement was made by Florida Marlins Owner and CEO Jeffrey H. Loria and Jeff Conine.    » read more »

Randy Johnson, Miguel Montero, Chad Tracy to begin season on disabled list

PHOENIX, 03/30/2008 -- The Arizona Diamondbacks today announced the 25-man roster that will open the 2008 season. The 11th Opening Day roster in franchise history will include 12 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders and five outfielders.

The final roster:

PITCHERS (12): #37 Juan Cruz, #49 Doug Davis (L), #31 Edgar Gonzalez, #15 Dan Haren, #38 Brandon Lyon, #52 Brandon Medders, #44 Micah Owings, #56 Tony Pena, #48 Yusmeiro Petit, #50 Chad Qualls, #45 Doug Slaten (L), #17 Brandon Webb.

CATCHERS (2): #7 Robby Hammock, #19 Chris Snyder.

INFIELDERS (6): #2 Chris Burke, #6 Stephen Drew (L), #1 Orlando Hudson (S), #34 Conor Jackson, #11 Augie Ojeda (S), #27 Mark Reynolds.    » read more »

Arizona D-backs sends Dustin Nippert to Texas Rangers in trade

PHOENIX, 03/28/2008 -- The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded right-handed pitcher Dustin Nippert to the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Marte, as announced by Diamondbacks executive vice president and general manager Josh Byrnes.

Jose Marte split last season between Class A Bakersfield and Class A Clinton, combining to 4-4 with a 5.23 ERA (32 earned runs in 53 innings) with 38 walks, 67 strikeouts and 14 saves in 45 games.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Cubs on May 1, 2001, Marte was signed by the Rangers on Nov. 1, 2004, and has been in their organization since. He had a career-high 12 saves and 71 strikeouts for Clinton in 2006.    » read more »

Left-handed pitcher to undergo surgery on April 10 and begin treatment

PHOENIX, 03/28/2008 -- The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Friday that left-handed pitcher Doug Davis has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and will begin treatment after undergoing surgery on April 10. Doug Davis will make his scheduled start on Friday in an exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field and then make his first two starts during the regular season.    » read more »

Nine first-time St. Louis Cardinals & three rookies make final roster

ST. LOUIS, 03/30/2008 -- The St. Louis Cardinals today announced their 25-man roster for tomorrow's (3:15 p.m. CDT) season opener with the Colorado Rockies. The Opening Day roster includes nine first-time Cardinals and three rookies.

The team's final pre-season moves included the purchase of non-roster infielder Rico Washington and lefty reliever Ron Villone. The team also optioned pitcher Kelvin Jimenez to Memphis (AAA), returned non-roster infielder D'Angelo Jimenez to minor league camp and placed infielder Brendan Ryan (right oblique strain) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21. The Cardinals also transferred outfielder Juan Encarnacion from the 15-day D.L. to the 60-day D.L.    » read more »