Reliever Blaine Hardy is being shut down for a few days after experiencing left shoulder discomfort.

Shane Victorino, who has been slowed this spring by a strained right calf, will not make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster and is considering whether he’ll rehab in Mesa and then play for the organization’s Triple-A team.

A bout of stiffness on Thursday dashed Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun’s hopes of getting through Spring Training without a flare-up of his surgically repaired back.

Andre Ethier’s leg is broken, but not his spirit. Talking to the media for the first time since Friday’s foul ball left him with a freak injury, Ethier said he’s wearing a bone stimulator 24/7, taking laser treatment and open to all suggestions.

Giancarlo Stanton cleared the wall and the Marlins’ office building, and the ball landed on the patio near the batting cages. But the two-run blast that left the crowd speechless wasn’t the most significant shot of the afternoon.

Matt Boyd said Daniel Norris’ back injury doesn’t affect his competition for the Tigers’ fifth-starter job.

Angels prospect Rafael Ortega hit a two-run single in the seventh inning of Thursday’s 6-5 win over the White Sox — one inning after the teams broke through against strong starting pitching.

Daniel Norris, once the frontrunner in the Tigers’ fifth-starter competition, will open the season on the disabled list after being diagnosed with three non-displaced fractures in his spinous process, a series of bony protrusions that extend from the spine.

Tommy Milone was only one out away from completing a six-inning shutout Thursday when he quickly found out how hard and far Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton can hit a baseball. Milone understandably was somewhat in awe, something a Stanton rocket shot does to many pitchers who witness one of them.

There are at least 324 games remaining on the Alex Rodriguez farewell tour, and while the Yankees designated hitter said he is standing by his comments regarding retirement, he is also reserving the right to change his mind.

Michael Taylor drove in four runs as the Nationals defeated the Cardinals, 8-2, at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Washington improved its spring record to 15-4-2, while the Cardinals are now 8-11-2.

As pitchers ramp up their workloads to get ready for Opening Day, the Pirates usually allot them 100 pitches or six innings — whichever comes first. The latter came well before the former for Jonathon Niese on Thursday afternoon.

Seth Maness is no stranger to Spring Training struggles. Just two years ago, the right-hander allowed 21 hits and 11 earned runs in 11 Grapefruit League appearances.

Dallas Keuchel appears to be ready for Opening Day. The Astros’ ace and reigning American League Cy Young Award winner fired five scoreless innings and allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five batters in an 8-5 win over the Mets on Thursday afternoon at Tradition Field.

Terrence Floyd was sitting at a picnic table outside the Marlins’ clubhouse next to the batting cages when he was startled by the sound of a bouncing baseball. From seemingly nowhere, it rolled in his direction. When Giancarlo Stanton connects, you never know where the ball may land. In Thursday’s 8-4 loss to the Twins, it happened to be over the Marlins’ office/clubhouse building and close to Floyd.

Rockies right-hander Jon Gray believes it will be a couple of weeks before his strained abdominal muscle will allow him to return to game action.

Orioles closer Zach Britton is already in midseason form. Britton, pitching in his first back-to-back outing this spring, struck out the side in the seventh inning of Thursday’s 6-5 win over the Pirates.