The Amazin’ A’s defied convention and won the American League West last season for a variety of factors, not the least of which was their ability to rotate bodies in and out of their lineup, maximize the matchups and somehow piece together the Majors’ most productive offense in the second half.

John Danks knows there’s little room for error, especially with his fastball still lacking a little velocity, as his arm strength continues to build up following Aug. 6 arthroscopic surgery.

Mike Trout hit a leadoff homer for his first of the spring — and almost got another — and Jason Vargas allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings as the Angels beat the White Sox, 12-4, at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Thursday.

Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels has been an All-Star and a Most Valuable Player in the World Series. And now he’ll get to start on Opening Day for the first time.

Michael Morse went 3-for-3 with two homers, a double and five RBIs against the Reds on Thursday. Joe Saunders struggled on the mound, allowing seven runs, five earned, in 3 2/3 innings. The Mariners won the game, 8-7.

If Thursday was any indication of the positioning Joe Kelly and Shelby Miller have found within the competition for the final rotation spot, the margin of separation between the two is minimal.

Catchers usually don’t get roughed up until the regular season. That wasn’t the case on Tuesday for Carlos Santana of the Dominican Republic.

Roy Halladay tried to fix some things with his delivery during his bullpen session Thursday morning at Bright House Field. “He looked wonderful,” Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “He looked fine.”

With Matt Harrison on a schedule that would make him the Opening Day starter, Yu Darvish has been put in position to pitch the second game of the season against the Astros on April 2.

Zack Greinke is looking forward to playing catch Friday as he recovers from right elbow inflammation, and his timetable for return may affect whether the team decides to keep all eight of its starting pitchers on the roster.

Fernando Rodriguez had just enough time to get to know his new teammates before learning that he won’t be joining them on the field for quite some time.

The Indians could have their closer back on a mound by this weekend. All-Star Chris Perez has advanced through the early stages of his throwing program with no issues in his right shoulder, making it possible that he could throw in a bullpen session by Saturday.

Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes threw 26 pitches in a batting-practice session on Thursday and said that he believes it is still possible to be ready for the beginning of the regular season.

Generously listed at 5-foot-10 and not a particularly hard thrower, Kris Medlen is no scout’s dream. However, the right-hander’s combination of control and smarts has helped him grow into a budding star.

Left-hander Brian Matusz struck out seven and held the Twins hitless for four innings, as the O’s produced a six-run ninth for Wednesday night’s 9-4 win at Hammond Stadium.

With Interleague Play starting earlier, White Sox pitchers are taking it upon themselves during Spring Training to prepare not just on the mound, but at the plate as well.

Derek Jeter returned to shortstop for the first time since last year’s American League Championship Series, Andy Pettitte pitched three-plus innings in his spring debut and the Yankees defeated the Phillies, 6-2, on Wednesday.