Brennan Boesch has never been afraid to talk about hitting and learn from teammates. But he has never had a left-handed-hitting slugger to chat up like Prince Fielder.

Two years ago at this point, Drew Smyly was getting ready for the SEC schedule. Just four months ago, he was facing some of the best young hitters in the world pitching for Team USA in the Pan Am Games.

Jacob Turner and Patrick Leyland got to know each other as high schoolers facing each other in summer ball. They had an ongoing dialogue Saturday morning on one of the back fields at Tigertown.

The Tigers allowed 119 stolen bases last year, fifth most among American League teams and second highest among AL playoff teams. More than once already this spring, manager Jim Leyland has talked with pitchers about "selling" their moves to hold baserunners, whether it is pitchout deliveries or pickoff moves.

The low point for David Pauley came in those 10 days last August sitting in the Tigers' bullpen. The combination of deep outings from Tigers starters, a formidable late-inning corps and a rough outing in mid-August put Pauley on the shelf.

The A's entered Saturday's first full-squad workouts with plenty of roster questions in tow. And by the end of the day, manager Bob Melvin was forced to think about another. Melvin, already facing decisions at first base and in the designated-hitter and outfield slots, may be looking for a third baseman after Scott Sizemore suffered a left-knee injury during a series of infield drills.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is headed north for a checkup early next week with foot and ankle specialist Mark Myerson. He is expected back in camp Tuesday or Wednesday.

One of the things the Yankees can't know, one of the keys to everything they hope to accomplish, is Alex Rodriguez's health. Was 2011 his new reality?

Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun began the process of restoring his reputation on Saturday when he took part in the team's first full-squad workout, marking an official start to his 2012 season and the end of his tumultuous winter.

Instead of having his name over his locker, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper had a nameplate reading "Joe Namath No. 12."

The Nationals had their first full-squad workouts on Saturday. Manager Davey Johnson spent most of the day on Field No. 4, watching his players perform infield drills.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said left-hander Matt Purke will start against Georgetown University on Friday, while right-hander Stephen Strasburg will get the nod on March 4 against the Astros at Space Coast Stadium.

Alex Anthopoulos might not have made the big splash many people were expecting during the offseason, but his returning core of young players has the Blue Jays general manager thinking big in 2012.

Hong-Chih Kuo, who signed with Seattle in the offseason, was one of the league's most dominant relievers in 2010. A year later he was suffering through his worst statistical season.

Opening Day was always the goal, and Grady Sizemore was well on his way to be recovered from his right knee injury in time to join his Indians teammates in Cleveland for the season's start. That was until an unfortunate back injury flared two weeks ago.

After being limited to just 99 games last season, Alex Rodriguez is hoping that a smarter approach to his game can help him roll the clock back.

Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, who has been sidelined by a strained back, said Saturday that he'll try playing catch on flat ground on Monday.