J.J. Barea (Getty)J.J. Barea returned from his quad injury Wednesday and started at point guard for the Timberwolves, scoring 15 points and adding three treys, six boards, eight assists, and seven turnovers in 37 minutes. Luke Ridnour is expected to miss at least a week with his severely sprained right ankle, meaning that Berea could be in line for as many as four more starts [schedule], and he'll play huge minutes for as long as Ridnour is out, given that rookie Malcolm Lee is being pressed into backup point guard duty.

• Charles Jenkins was very productive on his start against the Timberwolves on Wednesday (33 minutes, 19 points, 8-13 FG, 4 boards, 7 assists), after which Mark Jackson said that he's been pleased with what he's seen from Jenkins as the starter. The caveats here are that Jenkins was defended by a gimpy and undersized J.J. Barea, and he'd averaged just 23 minutes in the previous two games (8.5 points, 4 assists). But Jenkins does now appear to be locked in as the starter ahead of Nate Robinson, who played just 15 minutes on Wednesday, and you'll get two favorable games in two days from a Thursday add (Fri @UTA, Sat DEN).

I can't be rational about the Panda (US Presswire)

Predictions are fun to make, even if they're destined to look ridiculous in 15 days (or 15 minutes). Please provide your own picks in the comments.

American League

Yankees: Even if Pineda is a zero, they're sound everywhere
Rays: Offense could be tricky, but starting rotation is loaded, defense is terrific too
Red Sox: All I want from this season: the removal of Bobby V
Blue Jays: The biggest sleeper in the majors - I won't be surprised if they beat out Boston
Orioles: No shot under current ownership

Tigers: Messy infield defense or not, they win by 10 games
White Sox: A few of those 2011 flukes flip back
Indians: Bang the drum slowly, sha la la la
Royals: Probably a year away
Twins: Defense can't be that bad again, but so many injury concerns

Rangers: Not a Ron Washington fan, but organization is ridiculously loaded
Angels: Love Mike Scioscia and the staff, but not the bottom of the lineup
Mariners: Pretty city, nifty ballpark
Oakland: Wrecking ball can't come soon enough

Awards (Winner and sleeper)
MVP: Miguel Cabrera (Ian Kinsler)
Cy Young: Jered Weaver (C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland)
Rookie: Matt Moore (Jesus Montero)

Alfredo Aceves (US Presswire)

Sorry, Mark Melancon owners. You lost this battle.

Bobby Valentine announced on Wednesday that Alfredo Aceves will open the season as Boston's closer. Here's the Red Sox manager, via the Boston Globe:

"On the days when Alfredo's not available, if Mark Melancon is available, he'll be doing it. I think the guys leading up to that will be very credible," Valentine said. "Just from what we've seen this spring and [Aceves is] a little more familiar with the American League. He was in the plans while he was starting."

As Rob Neyer just pointed out, Aceves' career record is 24-3, which is ridiculous. He earned two saves for Boston last season, though both were of the three-plus-innings variety. Aceves is certainly capable of succeeding in the closing gig, as are many relievers. Go get him if he's still available, gamers. This will serve as last call.

Kyrie Irving (Getty)Kyrie Irving aggravated his right shoulder strain on Tuesday night against the Spurs, was examined at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday, and has been shut down by the Cavs for as much as the next two weeks. The 17-34 Cavs have no reason to push Irving to risk further injury or rush his recovery, so expect caution here, and consider his default h2h season over for all intents and purposes. Both Donald Sloan and Lester Hudson should be in line for major minutes, with Irving sidelined and Daniel Gibson done for the season. Sloan played 35 minutes during his spot start on Saturday, scoring 10 points and adding seven boards, four assists, and two steals; Hudson posted a respectable line (22 minutes, 12 points, 2 threes, 2 steals) during Tuesday's blowout loss. The Cavs have two games remaining in the current week and then have a league-best five games during the default h2h finals [schedule].

• The Magic played without Dwight Howard (back spasms), Ryan Anderson (sprained ankle), and Jameer Nelson (sprained ankle) on Tuesday. Both Howard and Nelson are considered day-to-day in advance of Thursday's matchup with the Knicks. Anderson's ankle still looks like a softball, however, and he's expected to be out another four or five days, which covers the Magic's two remaining games for the current week (Thu NYK, Sat @PHI). That should mean two more starts for Glen Davis, who has averaged 39 minutes, 24.5 points, 13 boards, 2 steals, and 1 block over the past two games.

• Back-to-back starts at power forward have produced averages of 36 minutes, 20 points, 1 three, 11.5 boards, 1 steal, and 2 blocks for Byron Mullens. Paul Silas is committed to giving Mullens extended run over the rest of the season, and the Bobcats, play a league-best five games during the h2h finals week [schedule].

Brandon Belt (US Presswire)

It's a travel day for some of us, but there's time enough to deliver a few need-to-know fantasy bullets. Let's get right to the good stuff...

• Brandon Belt loyalists, you'll like this blurb from Daniel Brown of the Mercury News:

...when asked if Belt will be at first base for the regular-season opener against Arizona on Friday, he did nothing do dispel the notion.

"He's been getting most of the playing time there,'' Bochy said. "We've said we'd put the bats out there that are swinging well."

Belt is hitting .389/.430/.625 this spring, so he's swinging as well as any Giants hitter at the moment. It looks like he'll open at first base, bumping Aubrey Huff to the outfield. You win, Belt drafter.

The Yu-Haul's filthy arsenal could launch him into immediate stardom. (US Presswire)

Surprises lurk around every corner in Fantasyland. Each year in leagues of all shapes and sizes, well-knowns and relative unknowns reach unexpected heights carrying their brainy investors to the pinnacle of success. As fantasy "experts" it's our job to discover, dissect and disseminate recommendations about these breakouts to the masses. Sometimes our prognostications are eerily accurate. Other instances, we write 500 glowing words on an outfielder that winds up BELOW a pair of Hairstons in overall value by year's end. Yep, both dreadful Jerry and sorry Scott.

Hey, 'dems da breaks in a wildly unpredictable business.

But the Noise, undeterred by last year's gross misfires, is again determined to put neck-on-chopping-block in an attempt to predict this year's statistical giants. Speaking as the owner/operator of TEAM HUEVOS would you expect anything less?

It's time to go bold or go home. In honor of the Cards/Marlins opener Wednesday night, here are a dozen insane-in-the-membrane prognostications for the upcoming fantasy season:

Under the Catwalk (US Presswire)

We all know the risks with Kyle Farnsworth by now. He's got the kooky glasses and he's a little crazy, like a middle linebacker on the diamond. He's trying to throw heat by you, but what he really wants to do is tackle you, physically intimidate you. Consistency isn't his thing.

Think back to all those years he's torched our ERAs and WHIPs. Chicago 2002, New York 2006, Detroit 2008, Atlanta 2010. The Kyle Farnsworth Self-Immolation Tour: Sold out.

Farnsworth's superb year last season bought some cred, but that doesn't guarantee a thing for the new campaign. This guy is the pi of MLB relievers; don't look for repeats. Maybe he should wear 22/7 on the hill.

The other cleat dropped Tuesday: Tampa Bay beat writer Marc Topkin expects Farnsworth (elbow) to go on the disabled list before the Rays open the season. That puts all of the save vultures into scramble mode. Elbow injuries are not to be trifled with.

Kevin Seraphin (Getty)Need a short-term bump with solid long-term potential? Give Kevin Seraphin a look. Add Seraphin Tuesday and you'll get three games in three days (Wed IND, Thu @DET, Fri @NJN), Seraphin has averaged 12 points on 54-percent shooting, 7 boards, and 1.5 blocks in his eight starts, and both Nene Hilario and Trevor Booker continue to be limited by plantar fasciitis. Give Jan Vesely a look in the deepest leagues, as well, as he'll also get run for as long as Nene and Booker remain inactive.

• Status updates: Andrew Bynum (ankle) will be a game-time decision on Tuesday .. Marcus Thornton (calf) is out Tuesday. Terrence Williams could be in line for major minutes if Thornton joins John Salmons on the inactive list for any length of time .. Kyrie Irving (shoulder) is expected to play on Tuesday .. Dwight Howard (back spasms) and Jameer Nelson (calf) missed Tuesday shootaround and are both game-time decisions .. Ryan Anderson (ankle) is out Tuesday and day-to-day in advance of Thursday's