Ten stories to track for the 2015 Major League Baseball season

With Opening Day now here, here are 10 storylines to watch for the 2015 season. Can the Giants repeat? Can anybody beat the Nationals? Can Mike Trout get even better? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Season-2015-Major-League-Baseball-298668121.html

Thomas could be vital piece of 49ers' offensive line in 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers gambled on Brandon Thomas in 2014, taking the injured Clemson star after he blew out his knee. Now with Mike Iupati gone, Thomas (or Marcus Martin) could step right into the position. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Draft-of-Brandon-Thomas-in-2014-may-pay-off-in-2015-298769061.html

McKenzie may move down in draft to get more picks

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have the No. 4 pick in the draft, but it wouldn't be shocking if GM Reggie McKenzie dealt the pick for extra choices. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzie-Could-Move-Down-in-Draft-298585971.html

Defensive tackle Antonio Smith became expendable for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Antonio Smith started all season for the Raiders in 2014, but Oakland cut ties with him because of his price tag and signing on Dan Williams. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-Now-Wilhoite-is-Back-in-49ers-Plans-298237711.html

Wilhoite is back in 49ers' plans for 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Michael Wilhoite was on the trading block just a few weeks ago, but now is penciled in at inside linebacker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-Now-Wilhoite-is-Back-in-49ers-Plans-298237711.html

Founded in 1961, San Diego men of the Bread and Bottle Society continue to cook up a good time

In 1961, several San Diego professional men banded together to start a cooking and dinner club. At the time, they simply wanted to learn to cook and push the envelope past meat-and-potatoes dining. In 2015, the club -- the Bread and Bottle Society -- is still going strong and includes a pair of original members, now in their 80s. My story for the U-T San Diego Food section: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/31/mens-club-dedicated-diners/?#article-copy

McDonald's lack of production a concern for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The lack of production by Vance McDonald means the 49ers are still in the market for another tight end. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Questions-About-McDonald-Force-49ers-to-Seek-Tight-End-Help-298159631.html

Super Bowl hero Smith adds to Raiders linebacking corps

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Seahawk Malcolm Smith was a spark for the Seattle defense and now comes to Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Ex-Seahawks-Linebacker-Smith-Sharpens-Raiders-Defense-298151871.html

Nicole Dobransky's focus on fitness climbed to a new level after trying the 90-day P90X workout program

Nicole Dobransky has been an athlete most of her life and thought she was fit. But once she tried the P90X program, she realized both her workouts and diet weren't as effective as they should be. Now she's eating better, has dropped weight and her running times have improved. My profile of her for U-T San Diego's "Active San Diego" series in the Health section: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/31/analysts-exercise-not-routine/

Ex-Giant Hakeem Nicks hopes to revive career with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Giants standout Hakeem Nicks is visiting the 49ers, hoping to sign and get a fresh start. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Nicks-Hoping-to-Revive-Career-With-49ers-298009161.html

U.S. women's hockey team will be tested right away, in opener vs. Canada, at World Championships in Sweden

Coach Ken Klee admits he was a bit surprised to learn his U.S. team would have to face Canada in their opener at the Women's World Championships in Sweden, but now is used to the idea. So are his players, who've followed this script before. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2015/March/27/US-Womens-Ice-Hockey-Team-Wont-Have-To-Wait-To-Face-Canada-At-Worlds

Bush should add some electricity to 49ers attack

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Though he just turned 30, Reggie Bush hasn't lost a step and should be an exciting addition to San Francisco's offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bush-Should-Add-Excitement-to-49ers-Offense-297788981.html

Quantity, quality of Raiders' free agent class impressing analysts

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Though Oakland didn't sign any of the biggest-name free agents, NFL observers believe the team got much better via free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Despite-Missing-on-Stars-Raiders-Improved-in-Free-Agency-297785041.html

Minnesota Duluth's Zoe Hickel is ready and eager to play any role for U.S. at World Hockey Championships

Zoe Hickel is getting her chance to show she belongs on the U.S. women's national team after a terrific career at the University of Minnesota Duluth. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.usawomenshockey.com/news_article/show/495483

Red-zone woes can be solved by Chryst and Kaepernick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners have been predictable and inefficient in the red zone, but a new offensive coordinator and fine-tuned QB could change that in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Chryst-and-Kaepernick-are-Keys-to-Better-Red-Zone-Offense-297662501.html

Raiders should favor Cooper over White

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Amari Cooper or Kevin White with the No. 4 pick in the draft? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Cooper-a-Safer-Pick-for-Raiders-Than-White-297657511.html

Bemidji State hockey standout Stephanie Anderson shocked, excited to make U.S. national team for World Championships

Stephanie Anderson says she felt as if she'd fallen off the radar of USA Hockey for a few years, so she was shocked when she was selected for the U.S. team that plays in the 2015 World Championships in Sweden this month. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.usawomenshockey.com/news_article/show/495480

Niners throw Shareece Wright into the mix at cornerback

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Chargers cornerback Shareece Wright, signed as a free agent, could start for 49ers in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hope-Wright-Can-be-a-Playmaker-297524431.html

Niners have eyes on some veteran inside linebackers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With a need at inside linebacker now, the 49ers have been linked to a couple of NFL veteran free agents. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-May-be-Seeking-Veteran-Help-at-Inside-LInebacker-297394241.html

Raiders owner Mark Davis still has money to spend

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area websites: The Raiders have spent a lot in free agency already, but owner Mark Davis says he's far from being done. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Still-Have-Money-to-Spend-297390901.html