Opening Day musings

OK, it's about 24 hours late to be contemplating the season opener but let's just say it was a busy day on Monday in the info-gathering business. Here are some of the interesting tidbits from the locker room before the first pitch was thrown.

Chone Figgins couldn't be more frustrated with his two broken fingers. Not only do they not hurt, they aren't even sore. Figgins will get the injury re-examined on Monday and more info might be available then. As for when he gets back into baseball activity, the first thing he wants to do is bunt from the right side. "When you bunt, you get that vibration on your hand and that will be a really good test for it," Figgins said.

Kelvim Escobar pitches tonight against the Texas Rangers, a team that has pounded him in the past. He is 2-8 in his career against the Rangers with a 4.52 ERA. "I think sometimes there is a group of hitters that might give a pitcher trouble from tie to time and right now those guys can be a challenge for a lot of pitchers.

Tim Salmon throws out the first pitch tonight so don't expect the show that was put on when Troy Percival handled the job Monday night. Percival not only ran in from the bullpen, he threw his first pitch as hard as he could. Maybe Salmon will ride in in his new red Ferrari. Then again probably not. It's a shock that the stoic pro even has a red Ferrari.