Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood wipes his face after giving up a two-run homer to the Los Angeles Angels' Kendry Morales. Wood allowed all three of the Angels' runs in the seventh inning of Sunday's 3-2 loss in Mesa, Ariz.

Dmitri Young has a big-league job again. Kerry Wood is no sure thing.

After a tumultuous 2006 marked by off-the-field problems, Young found out Sunday he’d be the starting first baseman for the Washington Nationals on opening day because his chief remaining competition, Travis Lee, asked to be released.

“I was at the bottom of the mountain, the bottom of Mount Everest, and I climbed my way up, one day at a time, knowing that I had to work,” Young said in Kissimmee, Fla.

Two months ago, Young was pondering retirement. A week ago, he was stuck in Washington’s minor league camp, trying to prove his personal demons are in the past and he can still swing a mean bat.

The oft-injured Wood also is trying to regain his form after switching from starting pitcher to reliever. But he failed to protect a seventh-inning lead Sunday, giving up three runs that allowed the Los Angeles Angels to beat the Chicago Cubs, 3-2, in Mesa, Ariz.

Orioles 6, Cardinals 5

At Jupiter, Fla., Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds took a big step toward being ready for opening day by playing in his first spring training game.

Edmonds hit second in the batting order, drawing a walk and grounding out. He was removed in the fourth inning.

An eight-time Gold Glove winner, Edmonds has spent the spring recovering from offseason shoulder and toe surgeries.

Astros 11, Mets 3

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., the Mets finally settled on five starting pitchers for their suspect rotation, tabbing top prospect Mike Pelfrey for one spot. John Maine and Oliver Perez, as expected, will fill the other slots behind Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez.

Red Sox 12, Marlins 6

At Fort Myers, Fla., Josh Beckett did not allow an earned run in seven sharp innings for Boston.

Tigers 9, Yankees 5

At Lakeland, Fla., Detroit’s Gary Sheffield hit a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly against his former team.

Blue Jays 3, Reds 2

At Dunedin, Fla., Tomo Ohka allowed one run over five innings, improving his chances of winning the fourth spot in Toronto’s rotation.

Braves 6, Nationals 0

At Kissimmee, Fla., Chuck James gave Atlanta another strong outing, while Washington starter Matt Chico got roughed up for the first time this spring

Phillies 10, Twins 2

At Clearwater, Fla., Chase Utley homered twice and drove in three runs.

Devil Rays 12, Pirates 4

At Bradenton, Fla., Jae Seo limited Pittsburgh to two runs and five hits. The right-hander has a 1.69 ERA this spring against major league hitters.

Dodgers 4, Indians 3

At Vero Beach, Fla., Jason Schmidt allowed one run in five innings for Los Angeles to lower his ERA to 5.06.

Rangers 10, White Sox 2

At Tucson, Ariz., Mark Buehrle gave up 12 hits and four runs over six innings for Chicago. White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe left with a right calf injury that is not considered serious.

Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 2

At Tucson, Ariz., Eric Byrnes homered twice off Brian Lawrence, who pitched six solid innings for Colorado.

Mariners 10, Athletics 6, 10 innings

At Phoenix, Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre was hit in the back of the head with a pitch but appeared to be OK.

Padres 10, Giants 7

At Peoria, Ariz., Adrian Gonzalez hit his fourth homer and drove in three runs.