If Chipper Jones remains healthy this season and a games-played vesting option kicks in for 2013, he'll undoubtedly play again next year. "You can make that assumption," said the veteran Braves third baseman, seated in front of his locker just prior to the first full day of workouts at Champion Stadium on Saturday.

Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino downplayed the significance of the annual team meeting that takes place every spring before the first full-squad workout.

Getting familiar with his new surroundings is part of the adjustment Mark Buehrle is making with the Miami Marlins.

The Nationals are still looking for help in the outfield and they have expressed interest in D-backs outfielder Gerardo Parra, according to a baseball source.

Those best equipped to define the meaning of leadership are those who follow the leader. With the two-time defending American League champion Texas Rangers, this means everyone except Michael Young.

Former Major League pitcher Terry Mathews, who spent all or parts of eight seasons with four teams, passed away on Friday. He was 47, and the cause of death was a heart attack, according to the Rangers.

In his five seasons with the Mets, Gary Carter was not particularly influential in the clubhouse. He was different from most of his colleagues who were proud of the image their banter and behavior created. They were runners, rogues, rascals and renegades. Carter was reserved, reverent, resolute and not remotely interested in the activities of the others. And just as proud of his image.

For 18 games of the 2011 season — you know, after he missed a couple of weeks while finishing off the rehab on his left knee, and before he hurt his other knee sliding into second base — the Indians got the real Grady Sizemore.

Officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association said on Friday that any problem in the Joint Drug Policy regarding urine samples collected and sent out for testing will be addressed quickly.

The baseball world reacted to the curious case of Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun on Friday, igniting a wide-ranging discussion on the league's drug testing and appellate procedures.

One of the best things about being a baseball fan right now is that we we'll forever get to tell people we saw Derek Jeter play. Someday, we're going to be asked about him in the same way previous generations of fans were asked about Frank Robinson and Sandy Koufax.

On Friday, the Indians announced that Grady Sizemore suffered a lower back strain two weeks ago during fielding drills at Cleveland's complex in Arizona. Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said that Sizemore is unlikely to be ready in time for the season opener.

As long as Joey Votto remains without a long-term contract, there will be questions about his future with the Reds. Ditto for Brandon Phillips.

It had been 368 days since Adam Wainwright last threw a session of Spring Training batting practice, and that one ended in disaster. Friday's session, though, ended with Wainwright smiling.

Addressing the media one day after he became the first Major Leaguer to successfully appeal a suspected violation of MLB's Drug Treatment and Prevention Program, Brewers star outfielder Ryan Braun said the ordeal has been the greatest challenge of his life.

When Spring Training opened last year, Reds manager Dusty Baker hoped that third baseman Scott Rolen would be good to go for 120 games in 2011. Rolen did not come close because shoulder injuries got in the way, but he hopes this year is different.

It's no secret the Orioles are a better team with Brian Roberts, a fact that doesn't escape any member inside the team's clubhouse, least of all the second baseman himself.