Yu Darvish has at least a half-dozen pitches in his arsenal, perhaps as many as nine if you include adding and subtracting speeds on his breaking balls.

The Padres were the first Major League team to face Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish, and over two innings on Wednesday, they learned that he's as good as advertised.

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton has played more Cactus League games than he'd bother to count. Because of back problems that have bothered him on and off for a decade, the number of games Helton plays during the spring is becoming fewer. Nonetheless, games like Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium — Helton's 2012 debut — are special.

Neil Walker has spent his professional career roaming around, which is irony of the highest order, because he is the one Pittsburgh Pirates player who has never left home.

Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez's Royals debut wasn't anything to e-mail home to Puerto Rico about, but it amounted to a major accomplishment.

The White Sox have a group of top-notch competitors working to close the opposition with as many options as possible.

In his third Spring Training with the big club, Andy Oliver might be the most comfortable he has been.
Oliver wants to crack the Tigers' rotation and stay there, but he isn't pitching like he's trying to win a job.

MVP ballots are not cast in July. If they were, Braves catcher Brian McCann certainly would have been an MVC — most viable candidate.

Jim Thome has been asked countless times about his ability to play first base since he signed with the Phillies in November. Every time, he has politely said he doesn't know until he gets a chance to play.

Perhaps it wasn't as eventful as he would've hoped, but Mark Trumbo was finally able to get in a game on Wednesday, starting at third base against the Mariners.

The Yankees have been trying to include Hiroki Kuroda in their rotation for more than a year, and the right-hander's first inning in pinstripes showed exactly why they'd so coveted his services.

All spring, Cubs manager Dale Sveum has said Jeff Samardzija is a pitcher on a mission. On Wednesday, Samardzija looked like it.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he sees no value in providing daily updates about how 22-year-old right fielder Jason Heyward is progressing after a disappointing 2011 season.

Brian Wilson threw live batting practice Wednesday, the final hurdle the Giants' All-Star closer had to clear in preparation for his Spring Training debut Sunday against Seattle.

Standing in front of his locker Wednesday in the close quarters of the visiting clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field, Jeff Keppinger held his thumb and index finger in front of his face, hardly any distance between them.

Brandon Morrow has the type of raw talent that often has scouts falling over themselves, but whether he can take the next step in his career ultimately will hinge on an ability to master the offspeed.

This is a season about adjustments for Vance Worley. After going 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 25 appearances (21 starts) last season and finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year Award voting, he's a lock to make the team out of camp.