Just when it looked like Matt Kemp was going to get regular playing time, Joe Torre changed his mind.

One of the hot news stories this week has been that of the pregnant transgender man. Fascinating stuff. I do wonder what this kid will have to go through. Hell, I can remember getting made fun of when I first got glasses in third grade. What will happen when the kids find out that this kid's dad used to be a woman?

The NCAA Semi-finals were held on Saturday night, in case you have been living in a cave. I have to be honest – I keep expecting Memphis to lose, largely due to free throw shooting, but the Tigers just keep going out and winning and winning and winning some more. Their only loss was a four-point affair against Tennessee back in February. Kansas, on the other hand, built up an astonishing 28 point lead against the Tar Heels, before letting North Carolina get back in the game and then finishing them off. One thing that stood out to me was how unimpressed I was by Tyler Hansbrough. I know he is the player of the year, and he has had an outstanding career, but every time I watch him, he seems so out of control. It could just be that I do not watch as much basketball anymore, but many of his shots just seem to be misguided chucks in the general vicinity of the hoop. Of course, that could be a result of better competition and could be why few people expect Hansbrough to be a good professional. My pick for the finals: Kansas 76 Memphis 72.

Turning to baseball, Josh Beckett made his 2008 debut on Sunday, to less than impressive results (4 2/3, 5 earned runs). Since he missed the end of spring training, I do not think Red Sox fans or Beckett owners need to worry. Of course, as great as he was last year, remember, this is still a pitcher who had a 5.01 earned run average as recently as 2006.

The Detroit Tigers and New York Mets both lost again on Sunday, making their combined record 2-9. If you read this column last year, you would have noticed that I had the Mets over the Tigers in the World Series. Although I am not about to change my pick, it is worth nothing that only two teams who have started a season 0-5 have went on to the make the playoffs. Still, the Tigers have to hit eventually...I hope.

Promising pitching prospect (say that five times fast!) Franklin Morales turned in a strong outing against the Diamondbacks today, tossing six shutout innings. Morales can often be his own worst enemy, particularly with all the walks, but today, he was able to harness his stuff. If you can nab him in a keeper league, you would be wise to pick him up and stash him, starting him only when the match ups are favorable. He gets the Diamondbacks again next week.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 594^th home run on Sunday off of Brett Myers. As strange as it sounds, it is is amazing both that it took him this long to get close to 600, and also that he is going to reach 600 home runs. Of course, what I mean is, Griffey had over 200 home runs by the time he was 26, and blew past 400 home runs by the time he was 30. Everyone just assumed he would ultimately break Hank Aaron's all time record. Then, the injuries struck, and everyone just assumed that he would be forced to retire. But, he now finally looks like he will be able to reach that 600 home run plateau. As one of the greatest players from my teenage years, it is truly exciting to see Griffey finally get to what once seemed inevitable.

The Los Angeles Dodgers outfield situation has just become even more complicated. It was generally figured that Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre would split the time in left field, but now, Joe Torre has begun using an outfield of Pierre, Ehiter, and Andruw Jones, at the expense of Matt Kemp. Although I am an Ethier owner in more than one league, the logic behind benching Kemp in the setup borders on insanity. Ultimately, Torre can only take so many “0-fers” from Pierre, and he will put his best outfield in the lineup: Ethier, Jones, and Kemp.

This Thursday is the NCAA Hockey semi-finals and finals, also known as the Frozen Four. I'm sure few of you, if any, have ever watch college hockey, but there is usually more goal scoring than the NHL will provide. Plus, you will hopefully get to see my alma mater take home their 10^th National Championship.

That will do it for this week. See you next time.