by Dennis Waszak Jr.

NEW YORK (AP)—Newly acquired Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes was suspended Monday without pay by the NFL for the first four regular-season games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

HEADED TO NEW YORK—Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) eludes Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis to score a touchdown Jan. 3, in Miami. The New York Jets acquired Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers April 11.

The league announced the suspension a day after the Jets acquired the talented but troubled Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round pick in this month’s draft.

Holmes, the 2009 Super Bowl MVP, is eligible to participate in the team’s offseason program and in all preseason practices and games. He would be suspended for an entire season if he violates the league’s policy again.

PITTSBURGH (AP)—If only every day could be opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Garrett Jones homered in his first two at-bats, pinch-hitter Ryan Church doubled home three runs and the Pittsburgh Pirates started the new season the way they wound down 2009 by roughing up the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-5 on Monday.

ROCK SOLID—Andrew McCutchen was honored before the Pirates home opener as he was named the Baseball America 2009 Rookie of the Year. With McCutchen are general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell.

AUBREY BRUCE

This past Sunday ESPN.com reported that “Receiver  Santonio Holmes was traded to the New York Jets from the Pittsburgh Steelers. [Holmes] will be suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy,” a source confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The Steelers will reportedly be compensated with a fifth round draft pick in 2011. Wow, I am sure that a pro-bowler is waiting to emerge from the celebrated fifth round in next year’s draft.

WASHINGTON (AP)—A hundred years after President William Howard Taft started a baseball tradition with a low ceremonial first pitch, President Barack Obama went in the other direction Monday, sailing a high, wide toss at the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Just as Taft’s toss forced pitcher Walter Johnson to make an athletic play, Obama’s required Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to lunge to prevent a wild pitch.

HISTORIC PITCH— Wearing a Washington Nationals jacket and a Chicago White Sox hat, President Barack Obama delivered the first pitch of the Washington Nationals home opening baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, April 5, at Nationals Park in Washington.