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MINNEAPOLIS - The Detroit Tigers brought an even mightier lineup back from their American League championship season. Their starting rotation is still stacked.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Phoenix Coyotes unloaded three veteran players from their roster for a minor leaguer and two draft picks at the trade deadline. On the surface, it looks like a team giving up on the season.

If there was any doubt the Minnesota Wild are serious about being a contender, picking up Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville should put that to rest.

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota went scoreless against another Detroit starter, and the top of the Tigers lineup was constantly on base. This time, the Twins finished the rally they failed to complete on opening day.

CHICAGO - All things considered, the Kansas City Royals will take what they got from Ervin Santana. They'd like their offence to pitch in, though. Too many home runs by the White Sox and not enough clutch hits added up to another loss for the Royals.

HOUSTON - The Houston Astros opened the season by scoring eight runs. They haven't been able to hit much of anything since.

TORONTO - The curtain has just been raised on the baseball season and already Jays slugger Jose Bautista has plenty to say on the subject of umpires. Words like mediocrity are hardly likely to endear him to the umpiring fraternity.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Joe Girardi won't be altering his musical tastes for Robinson Cano, even with Jay-Z's new sports company now representing his All-Star second baseman. The New York Yankees manager loves the Rolling Stones, not rap.

AUSTIN, Texas - Lance Armstrong is looking to make a splash with a return to competition. The disgraced cyclist is signed up to swim three events this weekend at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas.

Columbus Blue Jackets rookie general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made an unexpected splash Wednesday at the NHL trade deadline.