Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who missed the majority of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, is hoping to be back on the mound by May.

The latest step back for Adam Wainwright took place on Sunday just behind Field 1 at the Cardinals' Jupiter, Fla., complex, where four pitching rubbers provided the appropriate setting.

One of the most intriguing storylines for the Red Sox this spring will be how Daniel Bard does in his attempt to convert from reliever to starter. If the early returns are any indication, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine likes Bard's chances of cracking the team's starting five.

Just three days before pitchers and catchers were set to report, Rangers reliever Koji Uehara was uncertain Sunday if he'd still be with the team at the start of camp.

With time for reflection, co-aces Jon Lester and Josh Beckett both acknowledged on Sunday — the reporting date for Red Sox pitchers and catchers — that they let the team down amid the 7-20 collapse last September.

Veteran reliever Peter Moylan does now when his surgically repaired right shoulder will allow him to rejoin the Braves' bullpen.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer proved he's much further along than he was at this point last year as he participated in a full day's worth of workouts at the Lee County Sports Complex on Sunday.

Orioles reliever Jim Johnson will be slowed through the beginning of camp, although he estimated Sunday morning that he was "about a week behind" the rest of the team's pitchers.

Three exciting college games took place Saturday during the Urban Invitational at Minute Maid Park, which also made room for a Battle of the Bands and an appearance by two world-class singers.

Ichiro Suzuki, who has spent nearly all of his 11 years in the Major Leagues as the leadoff hitter for the Mariners, said Saturday he's open to a new role if that's the direction manager Eric Wedge wants to go in the coming season.

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth was not expected to be in Spring Training until next week, but his first day in camp turned out to be Saturday. He went right to work, going to the complex and taking batting practice with teammate Danny Espinosa.

The Rays are well-loved. Evidence of how the Tampa Bay area feels about its Major League team could be seen in the numbers that crowded Tropicana Field on Saturday to enjoy the club's annual Fan Fest.

Predictably, the Giants intend to regulate the early activity of healing stars Buster Posey, Brian Wilson and Freddy Sanchez during Spring Training.

The Yankees are near an agreement with reliever Clay Rapada on a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training, a source told MLB.com.

Four players from Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy in Puerto Rico are at the 2012 Urban Invitational, a highlight in their respective freshman seasons.

Rangers pitchers aren't supposed to report for four more days, but a number of them are already here working out at the Surprise complex. Right-handed reliever Mike Adams, who had surgery to repair a hernia on Jan. 3, is among those who are throwing.

Returning outfielder Mike Carp, second baseman Dustin Ackley and new catcher Jesus Montero all displayed some nice power in the first batting practice of Spring Training for the Mariners on Saturday, as the team began full-squad workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex.