The long-term contract signed by Royals catcher Salvador Perez was met with approval by two of the team's young pitchers.

On Monday, new Padres closer Huston Street got on top of the mound and threw live batting practice to hitters for the first time this spring. He resisted the urge to come out hot — throwing as hard as he could, trying to make a big first impression on his new team.

Albert Belle stood outside the Indians' complex on Tuesday morning, his back against a wall as reporters swarmed around him. Given his controversial and confrontational past, it was a scene that might have stirred a sleeping giant.

Seeing less of himself in the mirror was certainly encouraging for Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook. But actually feeling the effects of the offseason makeover during these early days of Spring Training has been the sweetest form of validation.

When Jim Tracy looks around the Rockies' clubhouse and sees some of the most important players in his lineup, he sees veterans. And in those veterans, he sees quality at-bats.

MLB.com executive correspondent Richard Justice participated in a live chat with fans on Tuesday. During the chat, Justice covered many topics, including the ultra-competitive National League East, how he thinks the Red Sox and Braves will respond from their late-season collapses in 2011, and how the Yankees, Tigers and Phillies stack up as World Series favorites.

At this point in the season, anything is a possibility. And that includes the Major League future of Angels outfield phenom Mike Trout.

Franklin Gutierrez is known as a Gold Glove center fielder who can catch anything hit his way on the baseball field, but the Mariners veteran can't seem to catch a break in the health department after suffering an injury to his right pectoral muscle Tuesday.

The D-backs' first game of the Cactus League will feature a pair of the club's best pitching prospects.

Alexi Ogando is being stretched out as a starter but manager Ron Washington dismissed the possibility of the Rangers going with a six-man rotation.

Third baseman Scott Sizemore limped into the A's clubhouse on crutches and in pain Tuesday, eager to embark on the road to recovery that will keep him off the field all season.

Clete Thomas can't point to a specific play, or a specific day, when he turned the corner on his knee injury. He's not completely sure it was a physical turning point anyway. All he knows is that, at some point, he felt like his old self again when he took the field and stepped to the plate.

Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis, who was at Class A last season, will need Tommy John surgery, according to general manager Mike Rizzo.

The Angels' free-agent spending spree hasn't shaken Don Mattingly's perspective on which is the real Los Angeles baseball team.

Five days after Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun won his appeal of a 50-game suspension by blaming a faulty collection process, the collector of Braun's sample responded with a three-page statement.

Being successful without winning. When Paul Konerko espouses such an idea about the 2012 White Sox, you can bet it's steeped in logic and the wisdom gained from a highly accomplished 15-year-career.

Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, sidelined with a strained groin, is improving but isn't expected to be ready by Sunday's Cactus League opener, manager Dale Sveum said Tuesday.