Breakfast Links: Jose Reyes, Shane Victorino. Jon Lester, Jeff Samardzija

Jose Reyes injury: Blue Jays place SS on DL with hamstring strain

You know that the baseball season has truly begun when Reyes hits the DL with a hamstring strain. Ahh, how I have missed wondering if Reyes will return to full health on schedule!

Red Sox place Shane Victorino on DL, recall Jackie Bradley, Jr.

The man they call Shanf has also landed on the DL with a hamstring strain, opening up an opportunity for top prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. after he lost the battle for the starting center field spot to the newly re-animated Grady Sizemore

Tabling Jon Lester extension negotiations is troubling

At Over the Monster, Matthew Kory worries that tabling the Jon Lester extension talks really means the Red Sox are going to let their star lefty walk

Cubs, Samardzija Won't Talk Contract During Season

The Cubs won't talk about extending Samardzija during the season, making a deal there less likely as well.

Athletics sign Joe Blanton to minor league contract

Blanton becomes an emergency option for the Athletics after getting cut by the Angels

Jason Bay retires from baseball

The former Pirates and Red Sox star hit turned into a pumpkin the minute he hit his age-31 season and as it turns out, pumpkins can't hit. At 35, Bay will call it a career rather than wondering the far East.

Mets sign Bobby Abreu to minor league deal

Abreu couldn't crack the Phillies roster and was released, but the Mets seem to think there is a chance his bat still has a little bit left and will give him a shot in the minors.

Braves sign left-handed reliever Luis Pérez

Perez is recovering from elbow surgery and was cut from the Blue Jays, but the Braves will take a look at him in the minors once the elbow is healed.