MLB

Entering play Friday, Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story is on pace to hit more than 200 home runs. The same goes for veteran Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano. 

Yet neither player cracked the starting 10 for 2016's inaugural Bleacher Report Team of the Week.

That should tell you a few things. First, it's way early, and we're residing squarely in small-sample land. Second, this is a pretty stacked Team of the Week.

For those new to the party, let's review the ground rules.

Hunter Pence is excited about an Opening Day victory and the rest of the month of April.

When Kyle Schwarber was carted off the field Thursday after a scary outfield collision with teammate Dexter Fowler, Chicago Cubs fans everywhere held their breath. 

Why wouldn't they? We're talking about a former first-round pick with game-changing power who's fresh off a breakout rookie campaign that saw him crack 16 home runs in 69 games.

Chicago Cubs star Kyle Schwarber left Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a cart, per Sports Illustrated. He sprained his ankle during a collision in the outfield, per the team. It's unclear when he will return.

First baseman James Loney agreed to sign a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on Thursday, sources told MLB Network's Jon Heyman. ESPN's Buster Olney confirmed the news.

It appears that all the New York Yankees offense needed to get going this season was a one-game warm-up. Also, somebody other than Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the opposition.

And now that these two demands have been met, we're seeing just what these Bronx Bombers are capable of.

As the Baltimore Orioles fight a crowded American League East, they will have to do so without star outfielder Adam Jones for the time being after he injured his oblique.

Continue for updates.

Jones Out with Oblique Injury

Thursday, April 7

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, Jones has been suffering discomfort. More news is expected later on Thursday.  

When Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper took the field for Thursday afternoon's game against the Miami Marlins, he did so wearing a special pair of footwear: Under Armour's first signature baseball cleats, the "Harper One."

When Atlanta Braves rookie John Gant made his major league debut against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night, he got to show the world his rather unusual windup.

Fact: The San Diego Padres have been blanked in each of their first three games of the 2016 season, making them the first team in MLB history to be held scoreless through their first 27 innings of the season.

In the other dugout, the Los Angeles Dodgers have joined the 1963 St. Louis Cardinals as one of only two teams in MLB history to start the season by throwing three consecutive shutouts.