Stow the chicken-and-beer jokes. They've been old for months now. More importantly, they miss the point. The activities in the clubhouse will have much less impact on the 2012 Red Sox than what goes on in the training room.

Daniel Bard was ready to pitch on Tuesday — so ready in fact that with about 20 minutes before it was time to warm up, he didn't quite know what to do. Welcome to life as the pitcher transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation.

The seven pounds that Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler added this offseason were to help with durability. Playing in Coors Field's roomy outfield and stealing bases can cause much wear and tear.

Luke Hochevar, with two scoreless innings in the Royals' 7-4 win over the Padres on Tuesday, came away very satisfied.

Negotiations between the Phillies and Cole Hamels' agent John Boggs are ongoing. And nobody can relate to Hamels more than Cliff Lee.

Nationals left fielder Michael Morse was a late scratch on Tuesday because of right lat strain. He is listed as day to day. Bryce Harper, who was slated to enter the contest later, started in right field, with Brett Carroll sliding over to left.

The right shoulder ailment that sapped Phil Hughes of his velocity last year could be a thing of the past. The Yankees are sure hoping so after the right-hander turned in an encouraging Grapefruit League outing on Tuesday.

When packing for his first Major League camp, Dylan Bundy brought all the essentials: an Xbox, a comforter from home and a punching bag and gloves, which the 19-year-old has set up in his hotel room.

Felix Hernandez threw three shutout innings and Ichiro Suzuki went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, as Seattle topped the Reds 8-6 in Cactus League play on Tuesday at Peoria Stadium.

Alfonso Soriano hit a pair of homers and a double, driving in three runs, and Brett Jackson belted a three-run homer to spark the Cubs to an 11-4 victory Tuesday over the Rockies and give new manager Dale Sveum his first Cactus League win.

Johan Santana completed his first Major League outing in 18 months without incident, holding the Cardinals scoreless over two innings Tuesday at Digital Domain Park.

Chipper Jones will miss his fourth straight game on Wednesday as he rests his legs. The Braves' veteran third baseman felt some soreness around his thighs while playing in Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Tigers.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman returned to the lineup earlier than he originally expected, and exited his first Grapefruit League game feeling good about the way his right knee reacted.

The Marlins have changed Jose Reyes, and they expect him to change them with his speed and energy, with his shortstopping and smiling.

Ryan Braun struck out and fouled out in his second Spring Training game on Tuesday and figures he has better days ahead of him.

Pitching has truly become a labor of love for Padres pitching prospect Casey Kelly, who at times during a conversation sounds utterly smitten with his job and at other times seems as if this whole pitching thing remains an utterly bewildered proposition.

Gio Gonzalez is left-handed. And that's not necessarily a reference to the arm he throws with.