The dominant story of the Rockies camp is its youth. While they've gotten older around the diamond with the addition of position players like Michael Cuddyer, Marco Scutaro, Ramon Hernandez and Casey Blake, the Rockies' starting pitching expects to hinge heavily on the ability of some young arms to step up.

It was a routine play, one practiced over and over to the point of being ingrained in a pitcher's muscle memory. There was no routine result for Indians Minor League lefty Scott Barnes last summer, though.

The Cubs bullpen is far from set, with only two players guaranteed roles. Rafael Dolis, Marcos Mateo, James Russell, Blake Parker, and Rule 5 pick Lendy Castillo are all in the mix.

A pair of the Padres' projected Opening Day starters — second baseman Orlando Hudson and left fielder Carlos Quentin — missed Thursday's game against the Brewers in Maryvale due to minor injuries.

Cubs longtime Minor League coach Tom Pratt arrived in Arizona with severe headaches. It was cancer. The outlook for recovery is great, as has been the support from the Cubs and players.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas was scratched from the Royals' lineup on Thursday because he was ill with a stomach virus. Moustakas hasn't played since he was struck in the right knee by a pitch on Monday against the Giants.

On a soggy, rainy Thursday afternoon, the Marlins capitalized on a two-out error to rally past the Mets, 3-1, at Roger Dean Stadium.

A's right-hander Bartolo Colon was scratched from his Thursday start against the Rangers because of a bothersome blister on his middle finger.

Brad Hawpe and Conor Jackson are both in camp on Minor League contracts, but it's hard to imagine either player going to Triple-A. Both have been successful Major League players. They have three weeks to reaffirm that.

Justin Verlander struck out eight of the 14 Orioles batters he faced but still found himself on the short end for much of Thursday afternoon before Gerald Laird's two-run single paced a three-run sixth in a 4-2 win for the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Cardinals' bench coach Dyar Miller found out that his older brother, Lowell, was killed in a logging accident on Wednesday night.

Left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz will not need directions to the Indians' complex. The Minor League pitcher has been there plenty of times.

There is still no timetable for the return of Angels first baseman Kendrys Morales, but when he is ready, his first game back will be with a Minor League club, manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday.

Angels right-hander Ervin Santana likely won't miss his next start, after he suffered a bruised shoulder when he was hit in the right arm by a line drive Wednesday.

Norichika Aoki, a three-time Japanese batting champ beginning his first stint in the United States, hasn't hit quite as well as the Brewers would like early on this spring. But there's something else he hasn't done much of: strike out.

The Brewers' starting pitchers may not pay close attention to their numbers during Spring Training, but it's hard not to notice them.

Manager Ron Roenicke says newly-acquired reliever Jose Veras is leaving little doubt that he can be a reliable seventh-inning guy for the Brewers this season.