Clovis High School (Calif.) shortstop Jacob Gatewood and Gainesville High School (Ga.) outfielder Michael Gettys created most of the buzz on the back fields on Thursday afternoon as the two teams faced each other in NHSI quarterfinal action.

Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers have spent the past couple of days closing in on a long-term extension to keep the two-time American League Most Valuable Player in Detroit, a source with knowledge of the talks told MLB.com.

Nelson Cruz took a pitch to his helmet Thursday by Rays pitcher Alex Cobb and exited the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The D-backs reassigned top prospect Archie Bradley to Minor League camp Thursday, ending his bid to win a spot in the starting rotation.

Although there’s no real way to simulate a high-leverage end-of-game situation because of the often mechanical nature of Cactus League play, manager Terry Francona is confident new Indians closer John Axford is more than prepared to handle ninth-inning duties come Opening Day on Monday.

With the decision all but official for weeks, John Farrell finally announced on Thursday that Jon Lester will be the Opening Day starter in Baltimore on Monday. “I know, it is earth-shattering,” joked Farrell.

Prince Fielder’s first swing in a Rangers uniform at Globe Life Park couldn’t have been any better. In a 7-4 exhibition victory Thursday over the Quintana Roo Tigers of the Mexican League, Fielder laid off three straight balls in his first-inning at-bat, then crushed the fourth pitch 424 feet into the Rangers bullpen for a two-run homer.

Many stories have circulated the past couple of weeks about how difficult it is to pick a perfect bracket. We think MLB.com’s Beat the Streak, which has a $5.6 million grand prize, is easier. A lot easier. Like, 6 trillion times easier.

Max Scherzer is mindful of how it was perceived after he and the Tigers cut off contract talks. To that effect, he said after Thursday’s game that he had met with team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski earlier this week to clear up some things about Sunday’s announcement and the accompanying reaction.

Nationals right-hander Doug Fister left Thursday’s Minor League start with a right lat strain, bringing into serious question his readiness for the beginning of the season. The setback could mean that both Taylor Jordan and Tanner Roark, previously battling for the fifth-starter’s job, will open in the rotation.

The best rebounders in the Golden State’s Bay Area this year might not be Andrew Bogut and David Lee of the Warriors. Keep your eyes on the Giants’ Buster Posey and Josh Reddick of the Athletics. They appear poised to take flight and do some amazing things.

There’s no telling whether Grady Sizemore can help the Red Sox later, but he can help them now, and the team has to ride that notion for all it’s worth.

Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels took a major step forward Thursday, pitching two innings in his first game action of the spring. Hamels, who suffered a setback on March 1 following his recovery from left shoulder inflammation, allowed two infield singles and recorded nine outs in a Minors game at the Carpenter Complex.

Jose Reyes and Edwin Encarnacion have both been cleared to play in this weekend’s upcoming two-game series against the Mets in Montreal.

With more teams in contention and with an amazing number of extraordinarily gifted young players making an impact, baseball has given us wild, unpredictable rides the past few seasons. The one about to begin will undoubtedly provide the same.

As the first clubs prepare to play exhibitions Thursday night at their regular-season ballparks, Major League Baseball Advanced Media announced the 2014 update to its award-winning MLB.com At the Ballpark app for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Looking to improve their starting pitching options, the Mariners signed one-time All-Star Chris Young on Thursday to a Major League deal.