Nationals pitchers and catchers will officially report to camp on Wednesday, but some players were busy Tuesday morning. Pitchers Jordan Zimmermann, Taylor Jordan, Ross Detwiler, Tanner Roark and Craig Stammen are in camp already and have thrown bullpen sessions.

On the same day the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in the United States, a “rock star” of a different kind landed in the Big Apple. This time it was on a commercial airline chartered by new Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan, who recently was diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma in his neck, underwent surgery Tuesday and will remain hospitalized for two or three days.

With Brian McCann signed to a five-year deal to be the Yankees’ front-line catcher, Austin Romine will compete for the reserve role this spring — and an opportunity to pick the All-Star catcher’s brain.

Right-hander Dellin Betances, who was once hyped as a rotation prospect, made the journey south for spring believing he has a real chance to crack the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.

Rockies chairman, owner and CEO Dick Monfort handled questions from fans on the @Rockies #AskTheOwner chat on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. He sees bright possibilities for 2014.

With stars from football and basketball dreaming about baseball, it’s easy to see why the sport remains our national pastime.

Bud Norris had spent his entire big league career in Houston until a July 31, 2013, deal sent him to the O’s. He was the frontline starter for a lot of struggling Astros teams, and if he is able to emerge as an impact pitcher, it would be a huge boon for an uncertain Orioles rotation.

Right-hander Roy Oswalt announced his retirement Tuesday. Oswalt, 36, won 163 games while posting a 3.36 career ERA over the course of 13 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Rangers and Rockies.

While a group of 40 pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Wednesday to the Mariners’ facility at the Peoria Sports Complex, GM Jack Zduriencik isn’t done adding to that number just yet. Sources indicate the club has agreed with lefty Randy Wolf and righty Zach Miner on Minor League deals with camp invites, but both have to pass their medical tests before anything is formalized.

If this were like most of his other offseasons from the past 20 years, Dusty Baker would be saying goodbye to his family this week and heading for Arizona for another Spring Training.

The bat has always been Jedd Gyorko’s calling card, and the Padres second baseman’s first season in the big leagues in 2013 was no different, but he’s equally excited to work on further improving his defense at Spring Training.

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, one of the most popular players to wear an Astros uniform, is returning to the organization as the club’s executive advisor.

The veterans in the D-backs’ clubhouse are determined to make sure that everyone stays on task and on the same page this year, something they made a point of discussing during offseason workouts and get-togethers.

Dee Gordon has added 29 pounds and comes to camp with an outside chance of being the starting second baseman, competing with a lengthy list of candidates that includes Cuban Alex Guerrero, Justin Sellers, Chone Figgins, Justin Turner, Brendan Harris and Miguel Rojas.

Miami on Tuesday announced the signing of Carlos Marmol to a one-year contract. He will earn $1.25 million, and will enter Spring Training as a front-runner to set up in the seventh or eighth.

Masahiro Tanaka has arrived in the United States, but before he meets his new teammates in Florida at Spring Training, the prized right-hander had his first chance to try on the pinstripes on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.