Brian McCann was happy about the way his surgically repaired right shoulder felt on Thursday morning, when he took batting practice for the first time this year.

Start here: This is the best team Fredi Gonzalez has had as manager of the Marlins and now the Braves. Top to bottom, these Braves ooze with talent — plenty to maybe unseat Washington as the National League East champion.

Since the beginning of his tenure with the Reds, Aroldis Chapman has earned his status by throwing heat. But to earn a spot in the rotation, he needs to show he can diversify. So during his impressive spring debut, on Thursday — his 25th birthday — his “Cuban missile” intentionally had lower octane. Chapman retired all six batters he faced over two innings, with one strikeout.

The Giants will be more than just interested spectators during the World Baseball Classic. At least eight players and hitting coach Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens, who’s managing the Netherlands, will represent seven different countries in the 16-team international tournament.

Right fielder Carlos Beltran exited Thursday’s game shortly after an errant pitch from Miami starter Jacob Turner struck him on his right foot. The Cardinals did not sent him back out on defense for the second inning for precautionary reasons.

Braves left-hander Paul Maholm has been around long enough to experience things far more troubling than battling inconsistent command during an exhibition game played a month before the start of the regular season.

Luis Cruz returned from a case of food poisoning to homer as the Dodgers had three multiple-run innings to beat the Angels on Thursday, 10-8, at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw struck out seven with no walks in three innings, but also was charged with three runs (two earned) on six hits.

There’s a joke in baseball, usually told about the so-called smart teams. It goes, “[Blank] is the new market inefficiency,” where [blank] can be just about anything that seems to be coinciding with a team winning games. This isn’t a joke, though: players with baggage really may be a market inefficiency.

The Yankees have made a “significant offer” to Robinson Cano, according to general manager Brian Cashman, who is hoping to lock the All-Star second baseman into a contract extension before he reaches free agency.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer is excited about the prospect of being a father. He and his wife are expecting fraternal twins in late August.

Colby Rasmus was scratched from the Blue Jays’ lineup on Thursday afternoon because of a sore right shoulder.

Jameson Taillon’s experience in his first big league camp reached a new peak on Thursday, with his start for the Pirates in the 16-6 Grapefruit League loss to Boston.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus was scratched from Texas’ starting lineup before its game Thursday against Cleveland because of sensitivity in his left arm stemming from a new tattoo memorializing his father.

The Phillies offense showed life in Thursday’s 10-2 victory over the Braves at Bright House Field. Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels allowed four hits, one unearned run and struck out five in three innings.

Mariano Rivera smoothly fielded two bunts and a grounder and also covered first base during an 18-pitch simulated inning on Thursday morning. CC Sabathia threw 46 pitches over two simulated innings on Thursday and said he is getting “antsy” to appear in a game.

Starlin Castro will miss two to three days with a tight hamstring, but the injury did not keep him from reaching the Sweet 16 of Thursday’s bunting tournament.

Matt Kemp said he expects to play his first Spring Training game on Friday, but Carl Crawford suffered a minor setback with stiffness in his left forearm.