Monday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.net

Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for! The Boston Red Sox will take the field at 3:05 in Baltimore and officially begin their defense of the World Series crown. Baseball is officially back and is here to stay until October.

• It seemed like a foregone conclusion after watching him play this spring, but John Farrell made it official on Friday. Grady Sizemore will be the Opening Day center fielder. (Sizemore to start Opening Day for Red Sox)

• While Sizemore will be taking the field on Monday, Shane Victorino may not be. The right fielder has battled injury all spring and will be a game time decision before the first pitch of the 2014 season. (Shane Victorino strains hamstring, headed to Boston)

• We may now have a reason for Will Middlebrooks dreadful 2013 campaign — he couldn’t see. The 25 year old recently started wearing contact lenses and has since been hitting like his old self. (The vision thing: Why things are looking clearer for Will Middlebrooks after a monster spring)

• While it would have been nice to see the Red Sox extend Jon Lester during the spring, it’s not going to happen. At least not now. Both sides have agreed put off contract talks for right now. (Red Sox and Jon Lester table extension talks)

• After being promoted from AAA last August, Xander Bogaerts saw almost equal playing time between short stop and third base. This season however, the 21 year old will start at his native short stop and not have to worry about moving around. (Back at his natural position, Xander readies for a full season)

• Over the last few seasons the Red Sox medical staff received a complete overhaul. Since then, both players and front office members alike have felt the effects of improved medical evaluations. (Revamped medical staff deserves much credit for Sox’ turnaround)

• Tweet of the weekend: Never change, Pap, never ever change.