Just because Major League Baseball is starting up again this weekend doesn't mean we push college baseball aside. No, in fact, Dean is back and better than ever with this week's edition of the NCAA Series of the week. Check it out!

NCAA Series of the Week and Other Interesting Match-Ups: 3/30-4/1

As we gear up for Opening Day on Sunday, we will be moving files, shifting documents, sorting pictures and moving all kinds of stuff around the site. You may encounter errors and delays from time to time over the next few days, but don’t worry. This is all being done to enhance our production and performance for the brand new baseball season.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I promise everything will be back up to speed very soon.

Thanks!

Joe

The Oakland A’s today agreed to terms with infielder Todd Walker on a minor league contract.  Walker will join the club on Saturday for the A’s spring training game in San Francisco.

Walker was with San Diego this spring and was released on March 26.  He batted .225 (9 for 40) with no home runs and one RBI in 14 games for the Padres during the spring.  The 33-year old split his 2006 season between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego and batted a combined .278 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 138 games.

Photo: Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily

The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with shortstop Carlos Guillen, keeping him in a Tigers uniform through the 2011 season.

Guillen batted .320 (174 for 543) with 100 runs scored, 41 doubles, five triples, 19 home runs and 85 RBI in 153 games with the Tigers in 2006.  Selected the Tiger of the Year by Detroit’s chapter of the BBWAA, he finished eighth in the American League with a .400 on-base percentage, ninth with a .320 batting average and tied for ninth with 41 doubles.

From the Detroit media department...

The Detroit Tigers today announced lefthanded pitcher Kenny Rogers underwent successful left shoulder surgery to remove a blood clot and repair the axillary and brachial arteries this morning, a procedure performed by Dr. Greg Pearl at Baylor University in Dallas, TX.

Rogers is expected to start throwing in six-to-eight weeks

                           Photo: Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily

Will David Wright lead the Mets to a second straight NLCS appearance?  

The 2007 Major League Baseball season is upon us! And what would the season be without a BDD preview?? I know, it wouldn't be complete! :)

So today, Rob McQuown explores the National League and tells us what we can expect from the Senior Circuit in 2007. Will the Phillies live up to Jimmy Rollins' prediction? Are the Diamondbacks ready to make a move on the National League West Champion Padres? And can the Cardinals successfully defend their World Championship?

You want to know the answers? Well what are you waiting for? Head on over to read Rob's 2007 National League Preview!

• The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has placed lefthanded pitcher Kenny Rogers on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 25 with a tired arm.
• Yesterday, Dodger outfielder Jason Repko underwent surgery to reattach two tendons in his hamstring. The surgery was successful, but Repko is still expected to miss the entire 2007 season.
• Los Angeles Angels reliever Scot Shields agreed Thursday to a $14.6 million, three-year contract extension through 2010.
• The Chicago White Sox optioned right-handed pitcher Gavin Floyd and left-hander Boone Logan to Class AAA Charlotte.
• Pittsburgh’s Freddy Sanchez participated in a “camp game” this morning at Pirate City…He played second base, ran all bases and went 2 for 8 at the plate…He faced Pirates starter Ian Snell in his first six at bats and had a single up the middle and a line-drive single to left.
• The Cleveland Indians today signed RHP Mike Koplove to a minor league contract…Koplove, 30, owns a career Major League record of 15-7 with 2 saves and a 3.76 ERA in 217 relief outings with the Diamondbacks from 2001-06 (248.2IP, 225H, 104ER, 101BB, 171K).
• The Rangers optioned OF Jason Botts to Triple-A Oklahoma City and reassigned INF Ramon Vazquez to minor league camp. INF Joaquin Arias (right shoulder inflammation) and LHP John Rheinecker (back strain) were each placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 23.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed righthanded pitcher J.D. Durbin from the Minnesota Twins today, as announced by Diamondbacks’ Senior Vice President and General Manager Josh Byrnes.
• Rangers reliever Eric Gagne will start the season on the disabled list.
• Cleveland Indians ace C.C Sabathia expects to be ready for opening day despite a bruised left forearm.
• The Yankees announced that Melanie and Christopher Lidle—the wife and son of former Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle who passed away last October 11th—will take the mound for the ceremonial first pitch on opening day at Yankee Stadium.