When the Dodgers weren't playing baseball on Thursday, some of them were playing video games with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan

During the offseason, two friends of Indians infielder Cord Phelps took an incredible journey on the other side of the world, a journey so incredible, he had to be there to greet them at the finish line.

Diligence. Perseverance. And above all, hope. Those qualities fueled Ryan Vogelsong's remarkable 2011 renaissance with the Giants. And they reside in the souls of fellow pitchers who have experienced largely unheralded careers yet continue to believe that they can realize their big league dreams.

Through two Cactus League starts, Drew Pomeranz has the look of a pitcher reaching for his regular-season form — and coming close to it.

Micah Owings' well-documented prowess as a hitter is a plus, but it's down the list in terms of the right-hander being a contributor for the Padres in 2012.

An interesting subplot to Reds Spring Training has materialized in the wake of three injuries to the bullpen early in camp.

The longtime baseball man sat in his seat behind home plate at Digital Domain Park, eyes focused on the field. He was there to evaluate both the Marlins and the Mets, of course, but he knew he'd pay a little extra attention to Miami starter Carlos Zambrano.

Jarrod Parker's performance on Thursday didn't go the way he had hoped it would, but 2 1/2 years after Tommy John surgery, the young righty isn't anguished.

Infielder Logan Forsythe, who was aiming for a reserve spot on the Padres' roster, has headed back to San Diego for a procedure to repair an old fracture in his left foot that began bothering him recently.

No, Freddie Freeman is not worried about a sophomore slump. He isn't worried about whatever pressure might follow his successful rookie campaign, how the rest of the league might adjust to him or how he'll have to make even more adjustments of his own.

Gavin Floyd set down the Rangers in order during the third inning of Thursday morning's “B” game in Surprise. The weird addendum to this frame for the White Sox right-hander was that he didn't retire a single hitter.

Dan Haren made his first spring start on Thursday, naturally. The Angels right-hander began his 10th season as a pro having never missed a start. Ever.

The Dodgers career of fifth starter Chris Capuano started well, with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts against the Oakland A's in a 7-2 win on Thursday.

Hanley Ramirez credits being in better shape this spring to working out in the Dominican Republic with a couple of big leaguers. The biggest star to give Ramirez a push in the gym was Toronto slugger Jose Bautista.

Barring any setbacks, Anibal Sanchez's first Grapefruit League start will be on Wednesday against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Sanchez, projected to either be the fourth or fifth starter, is easing back from a sore right shoulder suffered last Friday.

Gerrit Cole's getting-to-know-you Spring Training ended Thursday morning, when the Pirates' top pick in last June's First-Year Player Draft was reassigned to Minor League camp.

Truth be told, Robin Yount would prefer that his good friend be in Florida right now, managing the Boston Red Sox. He's not quite sold on Dale Sveum in a Chicago Cubs cap.