Asked on Saturday whether Corey Kluber had been informed that he was going to be the Tribe’s starter on Opening Day, Indians manager Terry Francona paused and tried to recall if they had actually had that conversation. In reality, it was one that probably did not need to happen. Kluber, barring something unforeseen, is a lock for the Tribe’s April 4 tilt against the Red Sox.

Joe Maddon admitted he’s having some fun playing with potential lineup combinations. Should he bat the pitcher eighth and Addison Russell ninth again? Russell does have the potential to provide some pop. Maybe he should be higher up?

Jordan Zimmermann seemed to enjoy the reunion with his former team Saturday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium.

Eric Hosmer is a World Series champion. And as of an induction ceremony just before the Royals’ Cactus League game against the White Sox on Saturday afternoon, he’s a Hall of Famer. (It’s the Surprise Recreation Campus Hall of Fame, if you want to get truly technical, but why get lost in the details?)

Angels right-hander Andrew Heaney was scratched from his start against the Mariners on Saturday afternoon because of an undisclosed illness.

Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz, who is dealing with a strained lower back, said Saturday it will probably be one-to-two weeks before he’s cleared to resume full activity.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is inching closer to game action, while right-handed pitchers Frankie Montas and Caleb Dirks have progressed sufficiently from injuries to resume throwing.

The Blue Jays will have to walk a fine line this spring when picking a fifth starter. The decision will impact not only the rotation, but also the bullpen and the overall depth at the club’s disposal.

More often than not, second baseman Jason Kipnis and shortstop Francisco Lindor were on different infields for Spring Training workouts a year ago. This spring, Kipnis and Lindor are rarely apart.

sk anyone who’s been around him this spring, and they’ll tell you Astros third base prospect Colin Moran is more comfortable and more at ease in Major League camp. Moran will tell you that himself, admitting that having a year under his belt in the organization and another solid season in the Minor Leagues can only boost your confidence.

Anibal Sanchez, who has been battling right triceps inflammation, threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday morning. Sanchez has also been sidelined with bronchial illness recently and barely had a voice at the Tigers’ complex in Lakeland.

When David Carpenter signed a Minor League deal with the Braves, he looked forward to getting the chance to prove he was healthy enough to be an effective reliever within a familiar environment. But less than one week into the Grapefruit League season, Carpenter is now looking for a new employer.

That is an incredible feat of balance.

After avoiding an injury scare on Friday, Marlins right-hander Jarred Cosart says his bruised right knee is fine, and it shouldn’t be an issue in his next outing. When that outing will come remains to be seen, because manager Don Mattingly is playing it safe.

A’s executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane was driving home from an offseason luncheon with sponsors in late January 2010 when the phone call came. Grant Desme, coming off a breakthrough year and in Beane’s estimation one of the two top prospects in the organization, dropped a bombshell.

The upcoming Major League campaign will mark Craig Kimbrel’s seventh, far fewer than Mariano Rivera’s 19 or Trevor Hoffman’s 18. But perhaps we’ve reached the point at which Kimbrel’s name can be compared favorably to any relief arm in history.

The baseball community was saddened by news that longtime Mets staffer Shannon Forde passed away Friday at the age of 44, following a long battle with breast cancer.