With every outing, every pitch, Doug Fister puts last year’s disappointment in his rearview mirror and knows he’s closer to embracing his new start. That’s what made Thursday at Bright House Field an important step in the right direction for the newest member of the Astros’ rotation.

So you think the Cardinals are vulnerable this year? Really? Did you notice who they’ve already named as their Opening Day starter? That would be old No. 50, Adam Wainwright.

Clayton Kershaw worked two scoreless innings, Yasiel Puig had an RBI and Alex Guerrero homered as the Dodgers posted a 6-1 victory over the White Sox on Thursday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

The Yankees are not and may never be for sale, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner told ESPN in an interview published on Thursday.

Alex Rodriguez started his spring with a jolt on Thursday, slugging the second pitch he saw over the left-field wall for a two-run homer in the Yankees’ 13-4 loss to the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The cosmetic transformation is complete. Daniel Murphy stepped out of the home dugout at Space Coast Stadium clad from head to toe in red and white, save for the black flip-flops on his feet. He started at second base for the Nationals on Thursday, walking and scoring a run in Washington’s 9-4 win over the Mets. He looked and played the part of the Nats’ new $37.5-million man.

Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson will undergo arthroscopic surgery for a bulging disk in his lower back on Thursday and will be sidelined from three to five months, the club announced.

Forget any idea of easing Ian Desmond into left field. He is scheduled to make his first start there on Friday, when the Rangers face the Dodgers in a Cactus League game in Surprise.

Manager Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians are taking a conservative approach to Carlos Carrasco’s workload during Spring Training.

So far he’s thrown bullpens and batting-practice sessions, but Friday will be the first time the D-backs get to see their prize offseason acquisition, Zack Greinke, in a game setting.

Jarrod Dyson, who was in line to be the Royals’ Opening Day starter in right field, will be out six weeks because of a Grade 2 oblique strain, manager Ned Yost said on Thursday.

Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have partnered to form “#BRYZZO,” and Major League Baseball is going to market the two young Cubs as part of the league’s “#THIS” campaign.

Yulieski Gurriel, one of the most celebrated players in the history of Cuban baseball, has been spotted in the United States.

So says one postseason opponent.

Jose Fernandez was on the mound Wednesday morning, competing and having fun. For the opposing hitters in the intrasquad game, it wasn’t such a pleasant experience.

The Cardinals and second baseman Kolten Wong have agreed to a five-year contract extension with a club option for a sixth year, which covers all three years of upcoming arbitration eligibility as well as at least one year of free agency.

For teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, operating with smaller payrolls, it’s essential to have a strong farm system to have any chance of being competitive. And clearly, the front office gets that message loud and clear.