LEADING OFF: Indians play home opener, Red Sox fight flu

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A look at what’s happening all around the majors today:

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HELLO AGAIN

The Indians play their first game in Cleveland since losing an epic Game 7 to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series last season. Most of the baseball world remembers the Cubs ending their 108-year title drought, but the memories aren’t so positive for the Indians. “It still hurts,” star shortstop Francisco Lindor said last week. “It’s tough. But we’ve got to turn the page.” They’ll try to do that behind Carlos Carrasco (1-0, 3.18 ERA) while facing James Shields (1-0, 1.69) and Chicago’s other team, the White Sox.

BUSTER BEANED

Giants star Buster Posey will likely sit out a day but was doing well after being struck in the helmet by a 94 mph fastball Monday. Posey will be re-evaluated before a game against Arizona, but San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said the catcher is “doing good” following the scary moment. “It’s one of the worst sounds you can hear in baseball, the ball hitting the helmet,” Bochy said. “It’s a scary moment. There’s been a lot of damage to hitters hit in the head.”

FLU FIGHTERS

The flu-ridden Red Sox return to Boston still trying to kick the bug that’s ailed the club during the first week of the season. The home clubhouse at Fenway Park was fumigated and disinfected ahead of this homestand after Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez, Robbie Ross and even broadcaster Dave O’Brien have been sidelined by illness. Drew Pomeranz (left forearm flexor strain) comes off the disabled list to make his first start of the season for Boston against Baltimore’s Dylan Bundy (1-0, 1.29 ERA).

OUT OF THE GATE

After a day the surprising Minnesota Twins try to maintain the momentum of a 5-1 start when they visit the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays attempt to regroup from a 1-5 start when they play their home opener against Milwaukee.

WELCOME SIGHT

Trying to shake off his slow start, new Cardinals leadoff man Dexter Fowler faces Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Fowler is 10 for 20 with a home run and four extra-base hits against Gonzalez in his career.

DUSTY’S PRAISE

The Nationals placed Trea Turner on the disabled list Monday with a strained right hamstring, but manager Dusty Baker was thrilled to only lose the shortstop for 10 days instead of 15 thanks to an offseason rule change. The minimum DL stay was shortened to 10 days for non-concussion-related injuries as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. “I think baseball did one of the best things they’ve done in a long time,” Baker said.

San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey, center, is checked by a trainer as manager Bruce Bochy, left, looks on after Posey was hit in the helmet by a fastball thrown by Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taijuan Walker in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 10, 2017, in San Francisco. Posey was forced out of the game. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_116002449-7c60a53976a54874a613db438935903f.jpgSan Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey, center, is checked by a trainer as manager Bruce Bochy, left, looks on after Posey was hit in the helmet by a fastball thrown by Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taijuan Walker in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 10, 2017, in San Francisco. Posey was forced out of the game. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

FILE – In this Nov. 3, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Indians fans Levi Jones, left, and Kyle Zabarsky react during a watch party, after Game 7 of the baseball World Series between the Indians and the Chicago Cubs, outside Progressive Field in Cleveland. Months have passed since the Indians’ last home game, an epic, once-in-a-generation Game 7 that will forever be remembered as the night the Chicago Cubs ended a championship drought spanning 108 years. It’s also the night Cleveland finished surrendering a 3-1 lead in the World Series. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_116002449-af1e01005ca540eb9edd71481a264349.jpgFILE – In this Nov. 3, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Indians fans Levi Jones, left, and Kyle Zabarsky react during a watch party, after Game 7 of the baseball World Series between the Indians and the Chicago Cubs, outside Progressive Field in Cleveland. Months have passed since the Indians’ last home game, an epic, once-in-a-generation Game 7 that will forever be remembered as the night the Chicago Cubs ended a championship drought spanning 108 years. It’s also the night Cleveland finished surrendering a 3-1 lead in the World Series. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)

FILE – In this Sept. 29, 2011, file photo, Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon cleans out his locker in the clubhouse at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox have fumigated and disinfected their clubhouse at Fenway Park to help fight the flu. Boston manager John Farrell says it has been done a few times while the team has been on the road. The Red Sox have been hit hard by the bug. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/04/web1_116002449-ed244e2433534d80b21851e8c89901cc.jpgFILE – In this Sept. 29, 2011, file photo, Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon cleans out his locker in the clubhouse at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox have fumigated and disinfected their clubhouse at Fenway Park to help fight the flu. Boston manager John Farrell says it has been done a few times while the team has been on the road. The Red Sox have been hit hard by the bug. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

By The Associated Press

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