LEADING OFF: Sanchez on mound, Davis on 1st, wife on Twitter

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:

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KEY MAN

With longtime Tigers ace Justin Verlander injured, right-hander Anibal Sanchez is even more important to Detroit, and he'll start against Minnesota. Sanchez was hurt down the stretch last season, so this will be his first start since Aug. 8. He appeared in relief in the postseason.

BACK ON THE FIELD

Baltimore slugger Chris Davis is scheduled to play first base against Tampa Bay, his first game in the field since serving a 25-game suspension for a positive amphetamine test. Orioles manager Buck Showalter eased Davis back into the lineup Tuesday night as the designated hitter against the Rays.

QUICK RETURN

Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke expects Ryan Braun back in the lineup against Colorado after the banged-up outfielder did not start Tuesday night. Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, left the Brewers' opener Monday because of a strain in his right side and had an MRI on Tuesday morning. ''The results were good,'' Roenicke said. ''He should be back in there tomorrow. This isn't too bad.''

LIVE ARMS

A strong pitching matchup for Game 2 between the Nationals and Mets, with Washington's Jordan Zimmermann - who threw a no-hitter in the 2014 regular-season finale - facing NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom. Zimmermann is part of a group of important Nationals, including shortstop Ian Desmond, center fielder Denard Span and pitcher Doug Fister, who could become free agents after this season.

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Brandon McCarthy makes his Los Angeles Dodgers debut against San Diego, which also puts a spotlight on the pitcher's Twitter-obsessed wife, Amanda. ''According to Brandon my fashion/shoe choices make me look like an off duty ninja,'' she tweeted Monday.

NEW ADDITIONS

Atlanta newcomers Jonny Gomes, A.J. Pierzynski and Cameron Maybin will be in the Braves' starting lineup for the first time, manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Maybin will play center field and might lead off against Miami. RHP Shelby Miller (10-9, 3.74 ERA in 2014 with the Cardinals) is scheduled to start against Marlins RHP Tom Koehler (10-10, 3.81). ''This is a team we're going to play a lot,'' Koehler said, ''so you want to set the tone early.''

NEXT IN LINE

With former closer Bobby Parnell still recovering from Tommy John surgery last April and replacement Jenrry Mejia on the disabled list because of inflammation in the back of his elbow, New York Mets manager Terry Collins is expected to turn to Jeurys Familia as his new ninth-inning pitcher.