Kevin Youkilis has a message for anyone who might be wondering where his allegiances actually lie. The moment his pen spilled ink on this season’s contract, the third baseman said he fully committed to helping the Yankees win the World Series.

A forgotten pair of spikes, a white top instead of a red one, taking the wrong field — all will be quite common from now until Opening Day. With Major and Minor League camps running in close proximity to each other, Spring Training is ripe for human error.

As far as the Rays are concerned, Evan Longoria is The Man. His health is tantamount to the success of the team, which explained manager Joe Maddon’s feeling about seeing Longoria bouncing about the clubhouse.

If the reality of suiting up with a new team had not yet set in for Kevin Youkilis, it certainly splashed in full color Thursday, when the new Yankees third baseman checked out his spring locker for the first time.

It’s probably best to let fans of the Los Angeles Angels experience Josh Hamilton for themselves. Why spoil the ride? They think they know how much fun it’s going to be. The thing is, they have no idea.

A historic rookie year set a high bar for Mike Trout, but he’ll have help from Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols, who in turn will be energized by their young teammate.

One overlooked component of an Angels offense that figures to be among baseball’s very best this season is the newfound — and necessary — flexibility Mike Scioscia now has at designated hitter.

Amid the euphoria in the visitors’ clubhouse at Comerica Park after the Giants completed their four-game World Series sweep of Detroit last Oct. 28, Barry Zito briefly allowed his mind to wander.

Albert Pujols didn’t sound concerned that his offseason right knee surgery would impact his ability to get ready for the regular season, but he’ll be navigating through Spring Training more cautiously this year.

Mike Trout comes to camp about 10 pounds heavier — a stark difference from last spring, when a nasty virus prompted Trout to lose more than 10 pounds.

Cody Ross was heading to dinner with the Rangers’ brass in Dallas in December when his wife showed him a text message from his agent. The message said the D-backs were very interested in him and wanted to make an offer.

A’s right-hander Grant Balfour had right knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus Thursday afternoon, leaving Oakland without its closer for approximately four to six weeks.

Trevor Bauer is off to a rough start when it comes to his efforts to focus on the upcoming season and move beyond the controversies of last year with the D-backs. On Thursday, a rap song served as the latest distraction.

The Indians’ public relations team spent some time on Thursday re-arranging furniture in the media workroom at the team’s player development complex, setting things up for a news conference. Michael Bourn is almost a member of the Indians.

Torii Hunter won over Jim Leyland even when his Twins were winning against him. Not even Leyland, noted cynic of clubhouse chemistry, could ignore Hunter’s outgoing personality.

If another season is drawing near, the Red Sox must be breaking in a new shortstop. The revolving door that hasn’t stopped since Nomar Garciaparra was traded on July 31, 2004, continues into another year, as veteran Stephen Drew is the latest to join the carousel.

Thirteen months and a day have passed since the Yankees interrupted a quiet winter evening by acquiring Michael Pineda in a blockbuster trade, and they’re still waiting to see the right-hander showcase his talents in a game that counts.