A familiar face was back in uniform on Tuesday afternoon, as former Marlins manager Jack McKeon, who remains a special adviser in the organization, made his first appearance in Spring Training.

The numbers seemingly say it all. Put second baseman Howie Kendrick in the No. 2 spot, where bunting, taking pitches and moving guys over is part of the job description, and he scuffles a bit. Put him lower in the lineup, freeing him up to swing the bat more aggressively in an RBI spot, and he thrives.

Catcher Austin Hedges was shocked to find former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman getting ready to throw batting practice in the first live session of Spring Training.

Mike Trout is 10 pounds heavier, guaranteed to start a season in the Majors for the first time and figures to spend most of his games in left field. But it’s the expectations he carries into it, on the heels of a historic rookie season that puts the bar sky high and makes this such a different year for the Angels’ five-tool outfielder.

Jack Hannahan, a free-agent acquisition for Cincinnati this winter, also commanded respect from his former teammates in Cleveland. Not only were they his friends, they gave him an incredible gift of generosity two seasons ago.

Manager Davey Johnson said he’s planning to use Ryan Zimmerman as a designated hitter during parts of Spring Training, as the Nationals third baseman recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

Free agent Jose Valverde may still be waiting for an offer from a Major League team for the upcoming season, but in the meantime, he will pitch for the Dominican Republic in next month’s World Baseball Classic.

Matt Harrison and his wife haven’t forgotten their roots on Tobacco Road, and they are not about to leave now, not even after the kid who used to rise at dawn to help work the land has turned into one of the best pitchers in the American League.

Right-hander Phil Hughes will be sidelined at Yankees camp after experiencing upper back discomfort during a defensive drill.

It happens basically every spring. Sean Burnett’s lower back will lock up, put him on the shelf for a few days, then go away. Last year, it happened while putting his glove in his locker. This year, it happened while putting his 4-year-old son in a shopping cart.

An MRI revealed that Matt Garza has a mild lat strain on his left side, and the right-hander will be shut down for at least one week to make sure he’s pain-free.

A silver anniversary obscured somewhat by time, lack of clear video evidence and the absence of the Montreal Expos approaches. Twenty-five years ago on April 4, Darryl Strawberry hit the roof in Montreal.

If the Tigers are confident about their ability to defend their American League Central title, they have every right to be. But as last season showed, they will have their work cut out for themselves against the revamped Indians and the rest of their division foes.

Signups are booming as Spring Training revs up and the century’s leading sports technology enters its 11th year. MLB Advanced Media on Tuesday announced the additional availability of monthly subscriptions, so you can have MLB.TV Premium for $129.99 yearly or $24.99 monthly, or basic MLB.TV for $109.99 yearly or $19.99 monthly.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Monday he was engaged with a “good number” of teams about Mike Carp, the outfielder-first baseman designated for assignment last week, and was closing in on a trade.

Now that David Wright is locked onto the roster for the next eight seasons, Mets manager Terry Collins wants to explore the possibility of naming his third baseman captain.

The Brewers were re-examining their options at first base Monday after learning Mat Gamel had re-torn his right ACL and would miss the 2013 season.