The getting acquainted portion of his time with the Reds has long since passed for starting pitcher Mat Latos. Last spring, he was the major off-season trade to help the club and the new kid on the block.

Three-time All-Star closer Jose Valverde, who is a Major League free agent, will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic because of a personal issue, the Dominican team announced on Friday.

Mark Prior passed a physical and signed a Minor League contract with the Reds on Friday. The deal did not include an invite to big league camp and Prior reported to the Reds’ Minor League Spring Training camp.

Angels slugger Albert Pujols, still methodically working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, is adamant about being ready by Opening Day.

Carl Crawford’s elbow setback is more serious than originally believed and he has been shut down from throwing and hitting for a week. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Friday that Crawford is now “challenged” to be ready by Opening Day.

As impressive as last season was for the Nationals, perhaps GM Mike Rizzo’s best job was in constructing a clubhouse that worked. It had a terrific environment, one in which players worked hard and played hard and believed in one another.

Dodgers Opening Day starter Clayton Kershaw said he wanted to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but skipped it because of last year’s hip impingement. Fellow lefty Ted Lilly made his first appearance since last year’s shoulder surgery and allowed a solo home run to Howie Kendrick in two innings.

Sandy has left the building. In Elvis fashion, Sandy Koufax finished his initial 10-day Spring Training assignment as special advisor to the Dodgers chairman Thursday having left an unforgettable impression, even on fellow legends.

Todd Helton had a rude awakening when he rolled into the Rockies’ clubhouse Thursday morning and saw his name atop the lineup card, batting leadoff against Reds fireballing left-hander Aroldis Chapman.

Mariners ace Felix Hernandez threw his first live batting practice of the spring Thursday and said he felt sharp in the 32-pitch performance on a back field at the team’s Spring Training complex.

The Brewers were happy to learn late Wednesday that a missing link from their Famous Racing Sausage team had been found at a bar in Cedarburg, Wis.

James Shields had a perfect day, and though it didn’t last long, Royals fans and management were glad to see their No. 1 starter finally in action.

Lance Berkman may be 37 years old, coming off knee surgery and battling a right-calf strain that has lingered all spring. But in his first at-bat as a Ranger on Thursday, he was the same old switch-hitting presence in the lineup.

Peter Bourjos has a goal — an expectation, really — when it comes to the outfield he figures to be a big part of this season. “There aren’t going to be triples.”

Bartolo Colon pitched two innings against the Cubs for his first action in the Majors since his Aug. 22 drug suspension.

Matt Cain pitched three innings Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, showing no ill effects from the bruised right knee that he sustained in his previous outing.

Time will tell if the moves the Mariners made this winter will translate into success this summer in a competitive American League West.