Tim Hudson admitted he was a little nervous before making his spring debut in Monday's 8-2 loss to the Mets, but you wouldn't have picked up on any apprehension given the way he pitched.

Dusty Baker would like to have two Aroldis Chapmans — one for his bullpen and one for his starting rotation.

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki walked through the clubhouse at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick with his left elbow unwrapped, and it was surprisingly normal in color and closer in size to his right elbow Monday morning.

As the White Sox packed up their Spring Training camp on Monday, manager Robin Ventura said he still has not decided on a closer for the club, though he does have an anticipated announcement time — the ninth inning of Friday's season opener.

Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke had no trouble giving an honest assessment of the “meatballs” he threw at the Chicago White Sox on Monday. But when asked about Giants hurler Matt Cain's new contract, he got quiet.

Right fielder Corey Hart received medical clearance Monday to re-join the Brewers' big leaguers for exhibition games against the D-backs on Tuesday and Wednesday at Chase Field and, barring a setback, will be in Friday's Opening Day lineup.

Justin Morneau sat down with Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to talk about his role this season before Monday's game against the Rays, and they decided that Morneau will start the year as the designated hitter.

Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett has left Spring Training and is scheduled to have his right thumb examined in San Antonio, Texas, while en route to Detroit for the team's season-opening series that begins Thursday.

From the expansion of the postseason to a heightened focus on the game's younger stars, there are eight reasons this was a very good Spring Training for baseball.

After nearly a year of rehabilitation and several weeks of easing back into competition, Adam Wainwright declared himself ready to go after wrapping up Spring Training with a 75-pitch effort out on one of the backfields of the Cardinals' spring complex Monday morning.

In Boston, the Red Sox will soon celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the opening on Fenway Park. In Los Angeles, the Dodgers will honor Dodger Stadium and its 50th year. In Houston and New York, the Astros and Mets will celebrate their 50th birthdays.

As Opening Day approaches, we can say, with some certainty, that 2012 figures to be the year we get our first look at Bryce Harper at the Major League level. And be sure to include this on an already abundant list of reasons to be excited for the year ahead.

There is a growing sense of optimism surrounding the Blue Jays that this could finally be the year they challenge for a spot in the postseason for the first time since 1993.

Sweeping front-office changes and influx of new players are hoping to foster a culture change in Baltimore, which has posted 14 consecutive losing seasons in a brutal American League East.

As individual seasons go, the Tigers were going to have a lot to defend whether they did anything in the offseason or not. Now that owner Mike Ilitch made the commitment and added Prince Fielder, the team expectations might be the highest of them all.

Success for the Astros in 2012 won't be defined as much in wins and losses as it will in progress. Under a new owner and new management and entering their last year in the National League, the Astros are hoping their young core of players continues to make strides.

The Yankees have the game's highest payroll, a loaded offense and a pitching staff that they believe is better than the one that suffered a first-round defeat last October. But they'll need to keep veteran stars like Alex Rodriguez healthy to reach their ultimate goal of a 28th World Series championship.