When the Phillies went about improving their bullpen this winter, they made a big splash and a big financial commitment to Jonathan Papelbon. But they had their eyes on Chad Qualls from the start, too.

It is never too early to start forming a contingency plan. That is why Indians manager Manny Acta at least entertained the idea of needing a temporary replacement for injured closer Chris Perez. In the event that Perez's injury lingers longer than expected, Acta said Vinnie Pestano would fill in as the club's closer.

It's easy to look past Jermaine Mitchell at A's camp. After all, 12 other players are on there, and more than a third of them play best in center, as does Mitchell. He also happens to be the only one coming off microfracture knee surgery.

Jose Valverde made it to the big leagues the year that Eric Gagne made baseball immortality. He still has a long way to go, but the Big Potato could be covering the same ground.

Nick Swisher is hoping that his gains from a new training program will pay huge dividends as he enters a potential free agency season.

Before Cameron Maybin played his first game with the Padres, then-general manager Jed Hoyer told him he was the team's everyday center fielder. Manager Bud Black later pulled aside Maybin and assured him of the very same thing last spring.

The wait continues for news on A's third baseman Scott Sizemore's left knee injury. The MRI exam that was expected to take place Sunday won't happen until Monday, when Sizemore is scheduled to see a specialist.

It's not exactly the most ideal situation, entering a first-base competition that includes three other players, but the A's Kila Ka'aihue wouldn't have it any other way right now.

The Marlins had their first full-squad workouts on Sunday at Roger Dean Stadium, and team owner Jeffrey Loria couldn't be more optimistic.

Rangers manager Ron Washington has spoken. So has Michael Young and Joe Nathan. They were the three main speakers during the Rangers' annual team meeting held before the first workout on Sunday afternoon. Washington did talk briefly about last season and the Rangers' heart-breaking loss to the Cardinals in the World Series.

Unlike the Red Sox, who were wildly inconsistent in 2011, Jacoby Ellsbury was a steady machine at the top of Boston's batting order and in center field.

Quiet, focused and apparently allergic to excuses, Rickie Weeks has been a favorite of the past three Brewers managers because of a toughness that was on full display in 2011.

Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan clarified Ryan Howard's condition on Sunday, further explaining the first baseman's seroma and upcoming checkup with foot and ankle specialist Mark Myerson.

After skipping his previous scheduled bullpen session due to abdominal soreness, Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee is back on schedule.

Matt Thornton couldn't be blamed for wanting to avoid a case of closer's déjà vu. His 2011 encounter with this particular feeling didn't exactly feature a storybook ending.

Team Jonathan — Broxton and Sanchez, the Royals' new pitchers — is scheduled to throw its first live batting practice sessions of camp on Monday.

As he enters his age 42 season, Mariano Rivera may be moving a bit ahead of schedule. Rivera volunteered to pitch his first bullpen session of the spring on Sunday morning, throwing 22 pitches beyond the right-field wall to catcher Gustavo Molina.