LEADING OFF: Royals begin defense vs Mets, Waino vs Liriano

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

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KINGS OF THE CASTLE

The Kansas City Royals begin the 2016 season just like they ended 2015 - against Matt Harvey and the Mets. The defending World Series champions will wait until Game 2 of the season to receive their rings, but expect a buzz at Kauffman Stadium when right-hander Edinson Volquez throws the first pitch in Kansas City's title defense.

LET'S GET IT STARTED

The first pitch of the 2016 regular season will come from Francisco Liriano in Pittsburgh. The Pirates face Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals at 1:05 p.m. ET. St. Louis edged Pittsburgh for the NL Central crown by two games last season, but then lost key players Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Steve Cishek this offseason. Wainwright pitched just 28 innings over seven appearances last season due to a torn left Achilles tendon.

STILL IN FLORIDA

The Blue Jays traveled from Dunedin, Florida, up to Montreal for two exhibition games this week, but now they head back to the Sunshine State to open the season against the Tampa Bay Rays at 4:05 p.m. ET. Toronto's Marcus Stroman isn't just making his first opening day start - this is the first time he's even been in uniform for the first game of the season. He'll face Rays ace Chris Archer in a battle of promising young right-handers.

MILLER TIME

Yankees left-handed reliever Andrew Miller is making good on his promise to pitch with a broken right wrist. He made his first appearance with the injury on Saturday and said he ''felt great.'' Miller may wear a brace on his non-throwing hand and will look into doing so, but he didn't wear one on Saturday.

PUT ME WHEREVER

The Diamondbacks put infielder Chris Owings in center field this weekend for the first time in his career to replace injured All-Star A.J. Pollock, and he might play there opening day, too. Owings was battling for playing time at shortstop and second base with Jean Segura and Nick Ahmed, but he may sneak into the lineup opening day because of his versatility. He helped his case with a three-run homer on Saturday against Kansas City, too.