In case there was any question, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon confirmed the obvious on Sunday. Felix Hernandez is a pretty good bet to be Seattle’s Opening Day starter on April 6 against the Angels at Safeco Field.

Drew Smyly is being held back due to tendinitis in his left shoulder. The Rays left-hander’s shoulder issue comes after an offseason in which he strained a tendon in his left middle finger that limited his throwing for about a month.

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who had season-ending surgeries last August, could play Monday against the Reds at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Weiss said the decision would be made after Tulowitzki, who had left hip labrum surgery, and Gonzalez, who had a left knee procedure, went through a workout on Sunday. If they play, it would be a week or so earlier than expected.

Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford said the shin bruise he suffered on Saturday is minor and he expects to play on Monday.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro announced Sunday that left-hander Cliff Lee is experiencing discomfort in the same area of his elbow that bothered him last season. That strained flexor tendon ended his season on July 31.

For the second time in three days, Jose Iglesias has left a lineup with a bruised right shin. This time, it was a scarier incident, with the Tigers shortstop struck by a low line drive during pregame batting practice Sunday.

Robinson Cano flew home to the Dominican Republic after learning of his grandfather’s death on Saturday. Manager Lloyd McClendon said he wasn’t sure on the timetable for the return of the six-time All-Star.

The Toronto Blue Jays know a lot of what they’re getting with their new catcher, Russell Martin. For one thing, plenty of it is easy to measure. Yet when the Blue Jays talk about why they signed him to a five-year, $82-million contract, they almost never begin there.

Hunter Melton and Michael Barash homered for Texas A&M, which remained undefeated, beating Houston 6-0 in the final game of the Houston College Classic on Saturday.

In honor of “spring forward” weekend, here are five players expected to exceed expectations and take a step toward greatness. Fantasy owners can thank us later.

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh was in A’s camp as a “special guest instructor” to good friend Bob Melvin on Saturday, fully dressed for the part in preparation for a seven-inning stint as first-base coach during Oakland’s 8-7 walk-off win over the Angels.

LSU’s offense eventually came around. Baylor never scored, but the Bears loaded the bases in the last of the ninth inning before losing 2-0 to the Tigers on Saturday in the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.

A’s backstop Stephen Vogt has been cleared to catch, and he will make his first spring start behind the plate in a road meeting against the Rangers on Monday, according to manager Bob Melvin.

Giants right-hander Matt Cain, who weathered surgery to remove bone chips and spurs from his right elbow and ankle, likely will start Monday against the Dodgers, manager Bruce Bochy indicated Saturday. Tim Hudson, who underwent right ankle surgery in January, could start either Tuesday against the Padres or Wednesday against the Brewers.

Though Cactus League activity barely has begun, it’s legitimate to suggest Tim Lincecum has regained at least some of his dominant form. Lincecum struck out five batters in two innings during the Giants’ 7-6 exhibition loss Saturday to the Padres. That hiked his Cactus League total to seven strikeouts in three innings.

Mariners skipper Lloyd McClendon has been saying all spring that Rickie Weeks adds an impact right-handed bat to his club, and the former Brewers second baseman backed that up Saturday when he cleared the batter’s eye in center field at Peoria Stadium.

Kolten Wong looks much more like the guy he had to work so hard to become last spring. While still often unforgiving of his shortcomings, Wong came into camp intent on, this time, being relaxed from the get-go.