When Adam Wainwright and Carlos Zambrano are on the mound, opposing lineups tend to have a hard time scoring many runs. The two starters lived up to expectations, but the Cardinals exploded for three runs against the Marlins' bullpen in the eighth to beat Miami, 4-2, at Roger Dean Stadium on Sunday.

Shaun Marcum moved a big step closer to claiming his spot in the rotation on Sunday, when he threw a simulated game at chilly Maryvale Baseball Park.

Zack Greinke worried that the mechanical adjustment he's making would improve his control but cost him some velocity. Instead he has seen improvements in both areas, another reason he's excited for the season to begin.

A's reliever Joey Devine, who has spent most of the past three seasons on the disabled list, will begin the 2012 campaign there due to right biceps tendinitis.

Left-handers Derek Holland and Matt Harrison have been pitching back-to-back through the first half of Spring Training. That could continue the rest of the way and even into the regular season.

It's another loose and light-hearted morning in Tigers' camp — a place where the enormous expectations of the upcoming season aren't spoiled by any of the tension that so often accompanies such things. Club president and general manager Dave Dombrowski looks out at the field and is pleased with what he sees.

Jake McGee's finish to the 2011 season went a long way toward building him up for this season, one in which he figures to be a key component of the bullpen.

In the aftermath of Wednesday's outfield collision with Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton is getting closer to being ready to play.

Injured Angels Kendrys Morales and Mike Trout weren't able to work out in Minor League games on a soggy Sunday, but both are looking to get into Cactus League action soon.

Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano tossed five no-hit innings and was backed by a five-run second inning in Minnesota's 10-0 victory over the Pirates on Sunday at Hammond Stadium.

The sound off the bat is completely different from a year ago. It's loud and it's forceful and it has a familiar ring to it. It's a sign that Hanley Ramirez seems to be back in a big way.

Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin is expected to be sidelined for four weeks after he undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday.

There has been good and bad from Rangers relievers this spring, and Alexi Ogando remains the mystery man in how the bullpen finally looks for Opening Day.

Jim Thome took his second crack at first base, playing four innings in a Minor League Spring Training game Saturday at Carpenter Complex.

Chase Utley's chronic right knee condition continues to be an issue, which is why he hasn't participated in fielding practice in weeks and hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game.

Placido Polanco left Saturday's game against the Blue Jays at Bright House Field after jamming his left ring finger while diving back to second base in the first inning of a 4-3 victory. He left the ballpark to have x-rays.

Josh Beckett's fourth Grapefruit League start was a stifling performance Saturday afternoon in a 7-4 win for the Red Sox over the Orioles.