Fans coming down to Florida to watch the Twins this spring might not recognize Hammond Stadium. The Spring Training home of the Twins is currently undergoing a $48.5 million renovation with Phase 1 set for completion in time for the club’s Grapefruit League home opener on March 1.

Baseball is fun again for Cubs outfielder/third baseman Josh Vitters, which is something he couldn’t say last season.

After several promising seasons in the Royals’ farm system, Mike Montgomery struggled in 2011 and ’12 prior to being traded. Last spring, the Rays liked what they saw in Montgomery, but noticed some mechanical issues that needed to be addressed.

More than age, postseason experience puts Gerald Laird in position to mentor the team’s young catchers, a responsibility he is more than happy to assume.

The Orioles’ focus is still on adding a bat — not another starting pitcher — before Opening Day, multiple sources told MLB.com on Friday as rumors swirled that Baltimore was still in on right-hander Ervin Santana.

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp won’t make the club’s season-opening trip to Australia, manager Don Mattingly indicated Friday.

Andrew McCutchen is too busy being an MVP-caliber baseball player to be executive producer of an edgy TV show melding baseball and pop culture.

Outfielder Gregory Polanco is stepping out of the haze of word of mouth into the bright sunshine over Pirate City, letting people see that he’s very much for real.

Two years ago Cam Perron, then a high schooler, began using his time to track down and help former Negro League players. His story has attracted much more attention since then, including calls from Hollywood producers.

Major League Baseball has yet to release the language of the proposal which aims to reduce injuries to both catchers and runners. With exhibition games set to begin next week across Florida and Arizona, though, it seems likely that announcement could be coming soon to give everyone involved — catchers, runners, managers, coaches, instructors and umpires — a chance to familiarize themselves with the changes.

Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols could not be more different — Hamilton as the flawed human, Pujols as “The Machine” — and yet their situations heading into this critical 2014 season could not be more similar.

Amateur scouting departments are going full tilt, knowing there are just 15 more weekends before the 2014 First-Year Player Draft arrives.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has made it official — at least on Twitter — that he is coming to Rangers camp.

Hiroki Kuroda seriously considered retirement again this winter, and said that he gave it more thought than ever before. In a way, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera brought the right-hander back for another season.

Andrelton Simmons arrived in Braves camp hoping to be the next member of the club’s talented core to receive a contract extension. Two days later, he received his wish. The Braves announced Thursday morning that Simmons has signed a seven-year contract. The $58 million deal runs through the 2020 season.

Max Scherzer was nearly unbeatable in his breakout season in 2013. As the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner prepares for his followup campaign, he was left Monday to compete against imaginary opponents.

As Derek Jeter bounced up the steps of the first-base dugout at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday, showered with the loudest cheers of the afternoon, it was a reminder that this spring will also represent something of a victory lap for the Yankees captain.