Cardinals manager and former catcher Mike Matheny has been following the recent controversy involving head injuries to National Football League players with particular personal interest.

For those willing to look beyond the Astros' 14-17 record — which is a two-game improvement over this point last year — the strides that have been made this season are rather remarkable.

Doug Melvin is now in his 10th season in Milwaukee. In practice, he is baseball's eighth-longest tenured GM, and on Tuesday, owner Mark Attanasio gave Melvin a promotion to president of baseball operations and a contract extension through 2015.

With plus tools across the board, a great makeup and a passion for the game, high school outfielder Byron “Buck” Buxton has a solid chance to be selected first overall in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas has them cheering this season at Kauffman Stadium. The player referred to as “Moose” by teammates, coaches and fans has become one of Kansas City's biggest young stars thanks to a hot bat and a flashy glove.

By most measures a defensive liability the past three seasons, David Wright — with an assist from third-base coach Tim Teufel — has corrected and reversed that trend through the first five weeks of 2012. Wright has committed just one error in 28 games.

If Joey Votto wanted to better know all his teammates, he would have to close the communication gap with players whose first language is Spanish. So he took up the language.

Doug Melvin loves talking about the game, debating trades and free-agent signings. He keeps detailed records of players in every organization and includes a large number of people in his decision-making processes.

He's on pace for more than 40 home runs and more than 200 strikeouts, which can only mean one thing: Adam Dunn is Adam Dunn again.

Angels outfielder Mike Trout leaves no questions unanswered with his skill set — it is off the charts, across the board. It is possible in the not-so-distant future to anticipate him contending for batting and stolen-base titles.

The Dodgers and Rockies meet Friday in Los Angeles in the opener of a three-game set. A pair of crafty lefties get the call, with Chris Capuano taking the hill for the home club and Jamie Moyer pitching for the visitors.

When the Giants travel to the desert for a weekend series with the D-backs, they will do so with some early-season revenge on the mind.

A National League East showdown awaits Friday's series opener between the Mets and Marlins and both teams enter playing their best baseball of the season.

Felipe Paulino squares off against Gavin Floyd when the Royals and White Sox meet up for the first time this season in Chicago for the start of three-game weekend set at U.S. Cellular Field.

Chipper Jones, who underwent surgery on March 26 to repair his left knee, returned to the lineup in the Braves' fifth game and helped them secure their first win. Now nearing 100 percent, Jones enters his final regular-season series at Busch Stadium.

The Padres and Phillies face off Friday in the opener of a three-game set. Clayton Richard gets the call for San Diego, while Philadelphia counters with Vance Worley.

The Rockies parlayed a strong Major League debut by Christian Friedrich into a win over the Padres on Wednesday that gave them a share of a three-game set.