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ATLANTA - Kansas City manager Ned Yost won't hesitate to give the ball to Kelvin Herrera again soon. Even after a rough outing against the Atlanta Braves.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - New York Islanders captain Mark Streit had never heard Nassau Coliseum this loud in his five years on Long Island. An unexpected run to the playoffs can certainly make the old building rock.

WASHINGTON - Time to start the MVP talk for Alex Ovechkin, who scored his NHL-leading 28th goal, stood up for a teammate who got rammed into the boards, and led the Washington Capitals to their eighth straight win.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Jonathan Sanchez didn't look like a guy ready to give the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen a needed night off after the St. Louis Cardinals touched him for two runs in the first inning on Tuesday. Instead, Mother Nature intervened.

DENVER - Finally out of the frigid weather, Carlos Gonzalez reclined in his chair inside the warmth of the clubhouse and proclaimed this to be the "worst, best day ever." Worst, because of the freezing conditions that included some snowflakes.

TORONTO - Calgary's Kevin Koe beat defending champion John Epping of Toronto 5-3 Tuesday night in the opening round of the Players' Championship. Edmonton's Kevin Martin hammered Norway's Thomas Ulsrud 5-1, while Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont.

CLEVELAND - Michael Bourn's finger is stitched and splinted. It's better, but not well enough to keep the Indians centre fielder from going on the 15-day disabled list. Manager Terry Francona said the plan is to put Bourn on the DL in coming days.

CLEVELAND - Jon Lester has felt pride when slipping on his Boston jersey and cap. Never more than now.

CINCINNATI - Ben Revere is getting so much attention for his glove — the way he used it and the message he taped to it — that he can't keep up with the calls.

CINCINNATI - Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick returned to the clubhouse on Tuesday with his right arm in a bulky sling, still months away from being able to play again.