What mattered Tuesday at Camelback Ranch was that Tim Lincecum displayed the form that captivated observers when he won Cy Young Awards and made All-Star teams. Despite his statistical line in the Giants’ 8-8 Cactus League tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lincecum looked and felt strong.

When Team USA manager Joe Torre talked to Brandon Phillips on the phone and asked him whether he’d like to be the starting second baseman for the U.S. in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, the Reds All-Star was completely thrilled.

The favorite subject concerning the Tribe’s sudden excess of fleet-footed runners is the volume of stolen bases that might be accumulated this season, which could be among the highest in club history.

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup just minutes before a 4-3 victory over the Yankees, but it wasn’t anything wrong with him physically — it was wet field conditions.

Yu Darvish retired six straight hitters to begin the game, striking out two, and Mike Olt delivered his first hit of the spring with a two-run home run in the Rangers’ 14-8 loss to the White Sox on Tuesday.

Donnie Joseph struck out the side in the Indians’ fifth on Tuesday, dispensing the three batters on the minimum nine pitches. He had fanned all three Rangers he faced on Saturday, throwing 15 pitches.

J.P. Arencibia has ensured that Matt Harvey’s start to the Blue Jays’ 2013 season will get off on the right foot. Harvey is a self-proclaimed diehard fan who has been closely following the team since the early ’90s. He’s also autistic and had to suffer through years of bullying before reaching his adult life.

The first of the Brewers’ key bullpen additions will make his debut Wednesday, and two others are not far behind. Right-hander Burke Badenhop, acquired in an early-December trade with the Rays, is on the list to pitch against the Royals in Surprise. Left-handers Michael Gonzalez and Tom Gorzelanny, acquired via free agency after pitching last season with the Nationals, are expected to debut by the end of the work week.

For the first time since Bobby Valentine was managing the Mets more than a decade ago, the Braves might once again have a true division rival in the Nationals, a team that is also looking toward the future with great expectations.

Johnny Damon has made overtures to the Yankees with Curtis Granderson on the shelf, but GM Brian Cashman prefers to evaluate what they have already at their disposal than bring Damon back for a reunion.

Joe Torre is prepared to feel something different from anything else in his 53 years devoted to baseball the moment he puts a jersey with “Team USA” across the front for the World Baseball Classic.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has changed his mind completely when it comes to collisions at home plate, and he is looking forward to explaining his position to Major League Baseball. Matheny has requested a meeting with Joe Torre, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations, to discuss the matter.

Twelve-time All-Star Manny Ramirez plans to continue his baseball career in Taiwan this season, assuming he doesn’t receive a Major League deal within the next week.

Justin Morneau is disappointed in Russell Martin’s decision not to play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

Albert Pujols, recovering from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, continues to take batting practice, run on the treadmill and field ground balls in his general vicinity.

Major League Baseball’s second annual Diversity Business Summit moves to Houston this year. On June 19, executives from all 30 teams as well as MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball clubs and MLB’s main office will converge on the George R. Brown Convention Center for a networking opportunity of a rare scope.

Possessing a veteran’s experience and a rookie’s youth, Madison Bumgarner is in an enviable position. He’s wise enough to know that he must continue to refine his skills, which remain abundant at age 23.