The first pitch of the 2012 Cactus League schedule has yet to be thrown for the White Sox, let alone their first pitch of the regular season. But Robin Ventura's inaugural team has begun to take shape.

As it turns out, the sure way to get Ryan Raburn at his best is when he doesn't think it can get any worse.

The San Diego Padres may have never won a World Series, had a pitcher toss a no-hitter or had a position player hit for the cycle. But the one thing they've always done well is provide a stellar bullpen.

When doubters question Dee Gordon's slight frame, or worse -- whether he's tough enough to take the pounding of the Major Leagues -- Gordon knows what the doubters don't. "I've been fighting since the day I was born," said the Dodgers' new shortstop and leadoff hitter.

Franklin Gutierrez has suffered a partial tear of the pectoral muscle in his right chest and will miss at least the next four weeks, the Mariners announced after the Gold Glove center fielder flew home to Seattle to meet with their team physician.

You've seen Matt Garza on the top step of the dugout, cheering, clapping and extolling the Cubs on days he's not pitching. All the gyrations and animation don't go unnoticed by his teammates.

MLB.com At Bat, the top-selling sports application of all time -- and the only sports app inducted to Apple's iPhone and iPad App Store Hall of Fame and the Macworld App Hall of Fame -- launched Wednesday right in time for this weekend's return of live Major League Baseball action.

A year ago, Adam Lind had to battle a variety of elements in his move to first base.

There's a strong possibility that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will make his highly-anticipated arrival at A's camp by weekend's end, nearly three weeks after news broke of his four-year, $36 million contract.

Ask around, and keep a close eye on Fowler, and you'll hear players and Rockies staff buzzing about it at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick: There's a new Dexter Fowler in town.

The D-backs and catcher Miguel Montero agreed Wednesday to suspend any further talks on a long-term contract until after the 2012 season.

The enduring image from Brandon Nimmo's first professional season came in his debut late last summer, after Nimmo reported to the Class A Gulf Coast League Mets.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has said that suspicion will always surround him and all other players from the steroid era. But as he nears the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, Jones takes great pride in the fact that he conquered those temptations he once had to use performance-enhancing drugs.