Felix Hernandez will make his Cactus League debut Thursday, and despite the appearance that the Mariners ace is pitching on a slower schedule, he is actually completely matching his pace from two years ago.

Watch the Red Sox take batting practice on any given morning during Spring Training and you will notice the usual clusters of players gathered in the outfield, making small talk and occasionally throwing their glove toward a lazy fly ball. Then there is Jackie Bradley, who is standing by himself in center field, playing a little game within the game.

Justin Verlander delivered four innings of one-hit ball before Bryan Holaday’s two-run double and Torii Hunter’s first home run of the spring powered the Tigers over the Blue Jays, 4-1, on Wednesday.

While Josh Collmenter was busy leading Homer High School to the only undefeated state championship in Michigan history, the future D-backs right-hander was unaware of the uniqueness of his delivery.

Luis Figueroa laced a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning to help lead Team Puerto Rico to an 8-7 win over the Twins on Wednesday in an exhibition game at Hammond Stadium.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez had only one plate appearance in his return to game action Wednesday against the Blue Jays, but he said afterwards the move was a precaution due to minor back tightness that bothers him when he swings right-handed.

While right fielder Carlos Gonzalez marveled at the young talent for Team Venezuela, its oldest member called 2013 probably his last World Baseball Classic.

Ryan Westmoreland, a former top prospect for the Red Sox, announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday by e-mailing a small group of media members.

Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday vs.Mexico’s World Baseball Classic squad because of the flu.

Delmon Young took the redeye from Los Angeles to Tampa on Tuesday, and showed up in the Phillies clubhouse early Wednesday morning at Bright House Field. He came straight from the airport to the clubhouse after sleeping on the plane.

The names being floated to take over Curtis Granderson’s outfield spot in April may not be of the household variety, but the Yankees have not panicked, insisting that they may already have their answer in uniform.

CEO and president Nolan Ryan and GM Jon Daniels have built the Rangers into one of the best franchises in the big leagues, and the club will be best served if they can continue their partnership.

Johan Santana spent a portion of his Wednesday morning throwing off a mound at Tradition Field — though hardly in the way he envisioned when he first reported to camp.

Less than an hour before Team Venezuela played an exhibition game against the Mets at Tradition Field, right-hander Francisco Rodriguez sat in the visiting dugout, ready to catch up with former teammates in the home clubhouse.

The Duncans have been together and apart, on different sides of the country and all under one roof. But they’ve learned one thing: Those thoughts that creep into their minds during the downtime — whether between pitches, in the waiting room at the hospital or on a commercial break from a radio show — tend to reveal what is most important.

Royals first baseman has been selected to replace injured Yankees star Mark Teixeira on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster

Yasmany Tomas and Alfredo Despaigne blasted monster home runs and Cuba held off a late Japanese rally to seal a Pool A sweep.