Sometimes you meet special people who change your life in ways that are impossible to describe. That's how those of us at MLB.com feel about Meggie Zahneis.

A's third baseman Scott Sizemore underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee on Wednesday morning, and he is expected to make a full recovery by the start of Spring Training next year.

Closer Joakim Soria will take a couple of days off to consider what to do about his ailing right elbow, Royals officials said on Wednesday. Tests taken this week revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament.

Statistics are one thing. Anecdotal proof of Johan Santana's sharpness came in the middle innings Wednesday, when Cardinals third baseman David Freese twice lost the grip on his bat while flailing and missing at Santana's off-speed pitches.

Justin Morneau didn't make the long bus trip from Fort Myers on Wednesday, but that didn't mean he wasn't getting some work in.

Giants closer Brian Wilson, who was scheduled to make his fourth Cactus League outing Wednesday vs. the Indians, will instead pitch in a Minor League game on Thursday as he deals with “general soreness” in his right arm.

Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher reported improvement with his groin injury on Wednesday morning and planned to spend most of the day receiving treatment at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Andy Pettitte had warned the Yankees that they might have to slow him down as he begins Spring Training, but after just one bullpen session, the club is ready for him to begin facing hitters.

Chris Carpenter will likely begin the season on the DL after returning to St. Louis on Wednesday for tests to determine the cause of his shoulder/neck weakness. Kyle Lohse has been named the Opening Day starter.

Stephen Strasburg will be the Nationals' Opening Day starter. It will be the first such assignment for the 23-year-old right-hander.

If the Cardinals or another National League team were to win this year, it would further contribute to an unusual World Series run that is under way: The NL, having won the past two Series, is on a roll.

With Opening Day approaching, here is what we know for sure about the suddenly competitive National League East, which is also highly unpredictable: The Phillies are vulnerable.

The Rays are supposed to be the lovable underdogs. With their puny payroll, they're supposed to take on the personality of the Little Ballclub That Could. They're not supposed to be ranked alongside the Yankees and Red Sox.

With starting catcher Salvador Perez on the shelf for perhaps a half-season, the Royals moved to fill the void by trading for the Astros' Humberto Quintero. KC also gets outfielder Jason Bourgeois for two Minor Leaguers.

Meet Scott Rice, who gained early fame in the clubhouse as a landslide winner of the “Dodgers Idol” talent competition for a hilarious song about Ronald Belisario. Gradually, he's also being noticed for his pitching.

Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher was forced to exit Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates with tightness in his right groin.

If the Mets and Nationals have their way, youngsters Lucas Duda and Stephen Strasburg will square off plenty of times going forward in National League East play. Duda came away victorious in that battle of power versus power on Tuesday, homering off Strasburg to lead the Mets to a 2-0 victory over the Nationals at Digital Domain Park.