By all evaluations, the 2012 debut of the new system creating two Wild Cards in each league was an unqualified success. It enhanced the value of a division title and made the road tougher for Wild Cards, and it increased fan interest down the stretch. But just ask Dodgers manager Don Mattingly: No team wants any part of a Wild Card playoff.

During the spring amateur season, it’s not often that scouts can come to one place to see a pool of high school players, both in terms of quality and quantity. Now, thanks to the National High School Invitational, it’s possible.

Players and coaches approach the waning days of Spring Training in a variety of ways. Young players sweat out the last hours of the exhibition slate as the number of bodies in the clubhouse decreases. Guys unassured of roster spots savor every waking moment, aiming to enhance the impressions they’ve made. Veterans keep their eyes glued to their watches, waiting for the time to pass until the commencement of another regular season.

Once again, the Tigers, who went on to take the AL pennant before a World Series sweep at the hands of the Giants, will be the overwhelming favorite when the 2013 season begins next week.

There is a group of sidelined stars that won’t be ready to hit the diamond on Opening Day, but that doesn’t mean that their impact won’t be felt when they return to the spotlight this season.

Jon Garland performed as advertised in his first outing with the Rockies on Tuesday night, keeping the ball down, getting ground balls and continuing what has been an impressive spring.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the decision to pull Andre Ethier after one at-bat Tuesday night was precautionary.

Second baseman Aaron Hill (pinkie), outfielder Jason Kubel (ankle) and shortstop Willie Bloomquist (oblique) were all injured in the D-backs’ 7-1 victory over the Angels on Tuesday night.

Vernon Wells admitted to having a difficult time stifling a grin once he was told where he had been traded. After years of admiring the Yankees from afar, the veteran outfielder will have a chance to wear pinstripes this season.

Over the past 10 seasons, the National League Central produced the most playoff teams of the three NL divisions, as well as the most NL pennant winners. And once again in 2013, the odds are good that multiple playoff teams will come from the NL Central.

Over the past 10 seasons, the NL Central produced the most playoff teams of the three National League divisions, as well as the most NL pennant-winners. And once again in 2013, the odds are good that multiple playoff teams will come from the NL Central.

The D-backs will start Ian Kennedy, Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy, in that order, in their opening series against the Cardinals. If healthy, Wade Miley will start the fourth game of the season.

It is now becoming traditional for the game’s hub of off-field activity, the MLB Fan Cave, to also symbolize the sense of relaunch, reload and redesign that comes with Opening Day and a long and adventurous run that would last until Halloween if someone wins the World Series in seven.

The Blue Jays optioned left-hander Ricky Romero, the club’s Opening Day starter a year ago, to Class A Advanced Dunedin of the Florida State League on Tuesday.

The Dodgers optioned Cuban sensation Yasiel Puig to Double-A Chattanooga and Dee Gordon to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will start the second game of the season for the Dodgers, manager Don Mattingly confirmed Tuesday, with Chad Billingsley missing his first turn through the rotation because of his healing bruised index finger.

The Yankees have signed free-agent first baseman Lyle Overbay, who was released by the Red Sox earlier on Tuesday, to a Minor League contract.