The return of Ryan Braun from an historic 65-game suspension hadn't gone the way anyone associated with the Mliwaukee Brewers outfielder had hoped. Blame it on nerves, or a nagging thumb injury, but whatever the case, the former MVP hadn't looked good through the first week of the 2014 season.

Coming off of a 65-game PED suspension that ended his 2013 season prematurely, there were legitimate questions as to what kind of player Ryan Braun would be for the Milwaukee Brewers this season.

On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron hit career home run No. 715, surpassing Babe Ruth for the all-time record. On April 8, 2014, the Braves honored Hammerin' Hank by wearing the same jerseys Aaron wore the night he set the record 40 years ago.

Atlanta will also have the No. 715 cut into the outfield grass and a special logo on the bases. He will also be honored prior to the Braves' game against the Mets.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were dealt a blow Monday when Tom Singer of MLB.com reported that pitching prospect Jameson Taillon opted to have Tommy John surgery on his injured throwing arm.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have to be growing tired of Madison Bumgarner, don’t you think?

The New York Mets were down 3-2 against the Cincinnati Reds when Ike Davis was brought in to pinch hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

Davis didn't take much time at the plate, crushing a walk-off grand slam to right field on the second pitch of the at-bat.

The Mets won 6-3 to move to 2-3 on the year.

[MLB.com]

In his first two starts as Toronto Blue Jays ace this season, R.A. Dickey has already shown how low and high things can go when a team's fortunes are riding on the most mercurial pitch in baseball—the knuckleball. 

His nadir came on Opening Day when the Tampa Bay Rays jumped on Dickey early, scored six runs off him and cruised to an easy 9-2 victory. 

A year after winning 94 games and reaching the postseason for the first time since 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates rewarded the architect of the team, general manager Neal Huntington, and manager Clint Hurdle with three-year contract extensions.

From the Pirates' official website:

When the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired pitching prospect Stolmy Pimentel via a trade with the Boston Red Sox in 2012, they felt they were getting a special talent. 

At 6'3" and 230 pounds, the 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic stands tall on the mound, and he is not afraid to go right after batters in any opposing lineup. 

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brian Wilson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a nerve irritation in his right (pitching) elbow, the team announced following Tuesday's 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres.