In exchange for Vernon Wells, the Angels received two low-level prospects in outfielder Exicardo Cayones and lefty Kramer Sneed — but that was little more than a formality.

Something is as striking for the New York Yankees as that patriotic hat dangling atop the bat of their team logo: This could become the 1960s again, and those weren’t glory days around the Bronx.

Yuniesky Betancourt, the team’s free-swinging starting shortstop in 2011, is a physical exam away from re-signing on a one-year Major League deal and breaking camp as the Brewers’ utility infielder.

The Braves and Phillies will square off at 7:10 p.m. ET Monday at Atlanta’s Turner Field on Opening Night, beginning a season’s worth of competition within the National League East for both squads.

The fifth annual Honorary Bat Girl Contest is under way, encouraging fans to share “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” stories for a chance to be honored on-field during Mother’s Day celebrations around Major League Baseball.

The fifth annual Honorary Bat Girl Contest is under way, encouraging fans to share “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” stories for a chance to be honored on-field during Mother’s Day celebrations around Major League Baseball.

It’s impossible to know if Vernon Wells can ever again be what he once was. But he has had a nice Spring Training, hitting .361 for the Angels with a 1.112 OPS. Spring Training statistics can mean almost nothing, but for Vernon Wells, they provide a flicker of hope that he still has something left in the tank.

Bryce Harper has turned in a remarkable last few days, reaching base in each of his last 10 plate appearances and recording a hit in nine of them.

Nick Tepesch is the Rangers’ fifth starter, Michael Kirkman is going to the bullpen and Leury Garcia has beaten out Jurickson Profar for the utility infield spot.

Derek Jeter said on Tuesday that it will be “disappointing” to begin the season on the disabled list, and he has accepted the reality that he will miss his first Opening Day start for the Yankees since 2001.

Third baseman David Wright took another sizeable step toward Opening Day on Tuesday, making five plate appearances as the designated hitter in a pair of simultaneous Minor League games.

Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran, who has been nursing an injured toe for nearly a month, returned to Grapefruit League action on Tuesday and seemed to come out of the on-field test with little reason for additional concern.

Rick Porcello is off the rumor mill and back in the Tigers’ rotation. The way he pitched this spring, it was the easiest choice for the organization to make.

Due to a lingering back injury, David Freese will begin the season on the disabled list, the Cardinals announced on Tuesday.

Any lingering questions about the health of Mariano Rivera’s surgically repaired right knee have been answered, and with his trusty cutter proving to be just as lethal a weapon as ever against professional bats, the 43-year-old closer actually looks like he could do this forever. He won’t, of course.

Understandably, the Rays are bullish on star third baseman Evan Longoria’s future, because, as they found out in 2012, without him, they are an average team. But with him, they can be great.

Entering the 2013 season, with Baltimore and Oakland now established as contenders with young, exciting rosters and confident leadership, we know it won’t be a surprise to see the Orioles and A’s back in the pennant mix come September. So where should we look to find the most improvement? Three clubs come to mind.