Early in camp, manager Mike Matheny made it clear that he wanted to see his position players take chances on the basepaths this spring. So far, the group has been plenty receptive to that challenge.

Sunday's rain-shortened game against the Nationals forced Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to switch up some of his pitching plans for Monday's split-squad games.

Cards outfielder Allen Craig is working his way back from right kneed surgery and conceded on Sunday that he almost certainly won't be ready to the begin the regular season in St. Louis.

Pitching coach Carl Willis knows the Mariners' four highly touted young arms are tied together in many ways, as the quartet has become somewhat of a single entity during the past month.

Jon Lester allowed just one run in his first Grapefruit League start, and the Red Sox took advantage of Chris Davis' second-inning error for a pair of runs and never looked back in a 6-1 win over the Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

While Aaron Cook did the smart thing and went on a more conservative program during the early portion of Spring Training, his competitive juices ate away at him. That's why Sunday was a day to savor for the veteran right-hander.

Top prospect Bryce Harper could be ready to return to the lineup soon after missing time with a calf strain. Nats manager Davey Johnson is also monitoring Mike Morse's ailing shoulder.

Entering the 2012 season, the question stands as to whether White Sox utility man Brent Lillibridge will join the group of individuals who have played all nine positions in one nine-inning game.

Mets third baseman David Wright flew to New York on Sunday for an examination and possible cortisone injection in his left rib cage, in an episode emblematic of the core injury issues plaguing the team this spring.

As far as Astros catcher Chris Snyder is concerned, all records are made to be broken — even the ones that aren't necessarily an indication of greatness.

To no surprise, 42-year-old closer Mariano Rivera looked as though he was in midseason form on Sunday, completing a perfect fourth inning in the Yankees' 3-0 Grapefruit League victory over a split-squad Phillies lineup.

CC Sabathia wanted to use Sunday's start against a split-squad Phillies lineup as a tune-up for his two-seam fastball, and the Yankees' Opening Day starter came away satisfied after hurling three scoreless innings.

San Diego outfield prospect Rymer Liriano is only 20, but he talks about his teenage years like they took place a lifetime ago.

Though he learned the day before he'd be named Cubs manage, Dale Sveum stuck to his commitment to arrange the bachelor party for his friend Matt Smith.

There have been a few things sore about Jeff Clement since the Seattle Mariners made him the third selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft — his left elbow and his left knee several times, among them — but the Draft apparently isn't one of them.

In his first Cactus League appearance, Brewers prospect Jed Bradley struck out two while yielding two runs on three hits and a walk. It was a chance to get his feet wet in the Cactus League before Minor League camp opens up, and manager Ron Roenicke was happy with what he saw from the 15th-overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

Ian Kinsler was a late scratch from the starting lineup before Sunday's game against the Indians because of tightness in his lower back, the club said. Mike Napoli was scratched from Saturday's starting lineup and did not play on Sunday because of precautionary reasons.