Third baseman Kaleb Cowart, MLB.com’s top-ranked player in the Angels’ system, will get his first taste of big league camp this spring.

Yu Darvish was 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 29 starts for the Rangers last season. He didn’t sound particularly thrilled about his season.

The Rangers continue to dance with the possibility of signing free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse, and they have remained in contact with agent Scott Boras.

Theo Epstein returned to Boston for his annual winter charity event at a time when he’s trying to build the Cubs into a contender and his former employers are trying to regain their prominence.

While the Red Sox certainly hope to have Mike Napoli in the middle of their batting order and playing first base by the time camp opens, there are no guarantees until a contract is actually signed. However, manager John Farrell isn’t fretting over the situation.

The Orioles have avoided arbitration with Nolan Reimold, agreeing Friday to a one-year deal with the outfielder.

Right-hander Mason Tobin joined the competition for what’s expected to be one, and only one, vacancy in the Giants’ bullpen, signing a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training.

The Tigers’ Winter Caravan is scheduled for Jan. 24-25, leading up to the return of TigerFest at Comerica Park on Saturday, Jan. 26. The full schedule of events for the caravan and players participating has not yet been released.

Highly touted young prospects Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, Mike Zunino and Nick Franklin are among 18 non-roster players invited to Major League Spring Training by the Mariners on Friday.

Roughly one month remains until the start of Spring Training. The sound of baseballs popping in gloves. The smell of freshly trimmed outfield grass. It’s all right around the corner. That makes this a good time to go Around the Horn, taking a look at the Indians’ roster. We’ll start this five-part series by examining the outfield.

The Blue Jays continued to add to their catching depth on Friday, signing Henry Blanco to a non-guaranteed, $750,000 Major League contract.

Now that the Mariners have come up empty in pursuit of a trade for D-backs right fielder Justin Upton, the obvious question is, what’s next?

The Orioles selected left-hander T.J. McFarland from the Indians during the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings, and while it’s typically easier to retain those players by stashing them in the bullpen, the plan remains to give the 23-year-old a look as a starter this spring.

Carl Crawford, coming off Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, will be the Dodgers’ starting left fielder in 2013. That’s their story and they’re sticking to it.

For Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, it was a no-brainer when invited to play for Team USA in this spring’s World Baseball Classic.

Spring Training is just around the corner for the Marlins, but the first time the club will take the field is being pushed back a day, from Feb. 11 to Feb. 12.

After going from starting pitcher to reliever and now closer, Glen Perkins has served in just about every pitching role for the Twins since being called up in 2006. He flourished in his role as closer in the second half of 2012 with Matt Capps dealing with rotator cuff issues, and now the Twins are hoping he’ll settle in as the closer of the future.