Scrounging for right-handed pitching depth for the back end of their bullpen, the Angels took a flyer on former closer Jason Isringhausen, signing the 39-year-old to a Minor League contract with a Spring Training invite.

Ricky Romero aside, Toronto's starters must elevate their performances this year with the Blue Jays talking openly about their aspirations for the postseason.

Right-hander Fautino De Los Santos' plus-plus fastball could very well turn him into one of the game's elite closers some day.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson was resolute in not talking up outfielder and former No. 1 overall pick Justin Upton in the past. Wednesday, Gibson was equally adamant when talking about the organization's No. 1 pick from a year ago, Trevor Bauer.

It's hard not to feel some deja vu when tracking Kendrys Morales' recovery this spring. But while it all appears to look the same so far, Morales and Angels manager Mike Scioscia continue to stress that it's different this time.

Adam Wilk is a throwback to a bygone era of ballplayer. Yet depending on how the Tigers' rotation sweepstakes shakes out, he might be just what Detroit needs right now.

Colby Lewis is expected to be the Rangers' Opening Day starter. He will also be the club's starter in the first Cactus League game on March 4 against the Royals.

A's newbie Tom Milone never really envisioned himself as a pitcher, at least not in the early stages of his playing days.

Dodgers Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw missed his first bullpen session of Spring Training on Wednesday as a precautionary measure for a tight back.

Nationals reliever Henry Rodriguez was still a no-show on Wednesday. The Nationals are hoping he will report to camp on Thursday. Rodriguez has been given an excused absence from the team.

Gerardo Parra enjoyed a breakout campaign for the D-backs in 2011, but the addition of Jason Kubel essentially cost Parra the starting left field job. Not that he's concerning himself with that.

Josh Johnson cleared his first hurdle of spring, throwing an encouraging 10-minute bullpen session.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan enters his fifth season on the job, and his optimism for his ballclub has not waned after back-to-back World Series defeats.

MLB.com caught up with Washington general manager Mike Rizzo on Wednesday to talk about the Nationals and their chances to be competitive in the National League East.

Without an otherwise obvious player to assume everyday duties at second base, Tyler Greene finds his name in the center of a three-player competition for playing time at the position.

It is early, and Spring Training has a funny way of helping imagination project greatness. But the Yankees' initial impressions of 23-year-old Michael Pineda have been promising, and it is clear they are banking on the 6-foot-7 hurler establishing a big presence.

Don't look for White Sox relievers Matt Thornton or Jesse Crain to talk about the possibility of either one claiming the closer's role or referring to the battle as a competition.