Though the Giants possess a fully stocked starting outfield, complemented by top reserve Gregor Blanco, the sense is growing that prospect Mac Williamson could arrive in San Francisco sooner than later.

Giants right fielder Hunter Pence might be able to shake off his right Achilles tendinitis and begin appearing in Cactus League exhibitions in a week, manager Bruce Bochy said Monday.

D-backs manager Chip Hale said center fielder A.J. Pollock would likely be scratched from Tuesday’s starting lineup against the University of Arizona with a sore right arm.

Rehabbing right-hander Henderson Alvarez took a big step Monday, throwing off a mound for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in July.

Like dew-sweepers on one of the nearby golf courses, the Astros have been hitting the field shortly after the sun comes up at the Osceola County Stadium complex. Even Jose Altuve, the 2014 American League batting champ, was out early on Monday, working to get a few more bunt hits this season.

The 20-year-old who wore No. 22 for the Red Sox in Game 2 of Monday’s college doubleheader was not your typical Minor League “extra.” He didn’t play like one, either. Yoan Moncada flicked his wrists at the first pitch he saw and hammered a double to right in Boston’s 8-3 victory over Northeastern University at JetBlue Park.

The Tigers got a taste of game action Monday in a 7-2 exhibition win over Florida Southern College. They’ll get Major League competition on Tuesday, when the Pirates pay a visit to Joker Marchant Stadium to open Grapefruit League play in a 1:05 p.m. ET start.

Though he has started more games than any Cardinals pitcher since 2012 and has more postseason appearances than anyone in franchise history, Lance Lynn has spent the first two weeks of Spring Training trying to feel out his fit.

Zack Greinke will make his D-backs debut Friday against the A’s at Salt River Fields. Right-hander Matt Koch starts Tuesday against the University of Arizona and Rubby De La Rosa will get the nod in Wednesday’s Cactus League opener against the Rockies.

When in Florida.

It was a bat flip full of pathos.

The Rangers have a new left fielder in Ian Desmond, and he is not here just to hold down the job until Josh Hamilton gets off the disabled list.

Yunel Escobar transitioned from shortstop to third base for the first time in 2015, his ninth season in the big leagues, and the metrics were quite unkind. Angels manager Mike Scioscia isn’t buying it.

The Blue Jays had an unofficial start to their Spring Training schedule on Monday morning with an intrasquad game, as Chris Colabello went 2-for-2 with a double and a home run, while left-hander J.A. Happ got an inning of work.

Jurickson Profar smashed Cole Hamels’ cut fastball over the left-field fence for a home run in the second at-bat of Monday’s intrasquad game. He also played shortstop for the first time after missing two seasons with a torn muscle in his right shoulder.

One of the rare exceptions to the Reds’ recent youth movement is Jordan Pacheco, a former D-backs and Rockies utility player whose list of positions includes catcher.

After his teammates threw their first live batting practice sessions of the year on Saturday and Sunday, right-hander Casey Fien threw his first on Monday, just two days after the birth of his son, Shane Maddux Fien, early Saturday.