Co-closer Will Smith was hobbled by a swollen right knee, Jimmy Nelson was scratched from a start against the Cubs due to illness, left fielder Ryan Braun remained sidelined by a stiff back and Rule 5 Draft pick Zack Jones will have to start the season on the disabled list, manager Craig Counsell said on a busy Friday morning in the athletic trainers’ room in Brewers camp.

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, who left Thursday’s game after one-third of an inning to avoid breaking open a blister on his right thumb, said it was “business as usual” on Friday and he was able to do his post-start routine.

The Dodgers will be without Andre Ethier until likely June, meaning they’ll need Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford to come up big early in the season.

Though he wouldn’t confirm Yadier Molina as the Cardinals’ Opening Day catcher, manager Mike Matheny strongly implied it when he acknowledged on Friday that “there is nothing left for him to check off.”

If you weren’t on the Cubs bandwagon yet, I think you may be now.

Daniel Norris wants to make the best out of a rough situation, a trait that helped him pitch last summer through thyroid cancer. And what he learned about the spinous process in his back over the last day or two since being diagnosed with fractures makes him upbeat he won’t miss much time.

Trayce Thompson is from a family of basketball players, but he’s trying to find a fit on the baseball field — and in the Dodgers’ outfield.

On the surface, the Padres’ weekend games against the Astros in Mexico City are only a pair of split-squad Spring Training contests. But to the organization as a whole — and to baseball fans in the Mexican capital — the games mean a whole lot more.

Growing up in Mexico City, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow’s exposure to Major League Baseball was limited to watching the Saturday “Game of the Week” on television and making the occasional trip to Houston to watch the Astros in the Astrodome.

As the NCAA Tournament winds down, MLB Stadium Madness tries to determine the best ballpark.

In 1992, the Angels signed three Russian players. Here is their story.

Bryce Harper isn’t the only one who’s ripping the ball for the Nationals. Outfielder Michael Taylor is arguably the hottest hitter on the team.

Seth Smith doubled twice and drove in three runs as the Mariners defeated the Rockies 10-8 on Thursday in a Cactus League game filled with hits from both sides and early-inning errors from Colorado.

National League Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta was expected to throw 90 pitches Thursday afternoon but lasted just one-third of an inning because of a blister on his right thumb. The Cubs said the problem was minor.

Was this more like it for the Brewers’ Opening Day starter? “Si,” said Wily Peralta, answering in Spanish, after Thursday’s 9-2 win over the Royals at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Mike Trout’s three at-bats against Chris Sale during the Angels’ 6-5 victory over the White Sox on Thursday at Camelback Ranch probably won’t be front page news.

Masahiro Tanaka has one tune-up start remaining before what is expected to be the second Opening Day assignment of his career, and Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild wants the right-hander to get back to trusting his stuff.