OK, so this is the 'official' first game ...

So forget that three hour, 11 minute tussle with the Mariners yesterday. It doesn't count in the standings, the Cactus League standings. But today? Yep, this is for real. More of the Mariners over at the stadium here in Peoria. Here's the lineup:

CF, Jody Gerut
2B, Chris Burke
RF, Brian Giles
DH, Cliff Floyd
LF, Emil Brown
1B, Kyle Blanks
C, Henry Blanco
3B, Travis Denker
SS, Everth Cabrera
SP, Chris Young

Today's pitchers: Young will throw one inning, as will Matt Buschmann, Justin Hampson, Joe Thatcher, Cesar Carrillo, Edwin Moreno, Nick Schmidt, Arturo Lopez and Chad Reineke.

Second baseman Matt Antonelli's right knee was feeling a lot better Thursday, to the point where manager Bud Black said he could appear in games in the next day or two.

Also, catcher Henry Blanco still hasn't decided on if will play in the World Baseball Classic or not. We hope to get some clarity on that today. I know, you can't wait.

Black is big on closer Heath Bell using a changeup more often moving forward. Bell threw a few on Wednesday and said he's committed to throwing more changeups this season. "I see the need to work on it for the future," Black said. "A third pitch for Heath [besides the fastball and slider] would be beneficial."

Cheers, Corey