The Indians have been gaining some national recognition of late as a possible sleeper team in the American League. One of the reasons prognosticators like the Tribe is the potential that exists within Cleveland’s rotation.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Matt Cain would throw his first bullpen session on Friday, delaying it by one day. Sergio Romo informed Bochy and the Giants coaching staff upon reporting to camp that he was experiencing slight soreness in his throwing shoulder.

Joe Maddon can make your head spin, and that’s a good thing. He’s smart, daring and funny. And now another adjective applies. He’s proven.

A’s manager Bob Melvin has penciled in Barry Zito for one Cactus League start. The comeback hopeful will have to earn a second, though.

Huston Street, who serves as his own agent, has been having “on and off” conversations with the Angels about a potential contract extension since December, and the righty said Thursday that both sides are “on the same path.”

Unlike Matt Cain and Sergio Romo, the Giants have no plans to be cautious with Madison Bumgarner after he pitched a career-high 270 innings in 2014.

Right-hander Doug Fister is entering his second year with the Nationals, and it sounds like he can’t wait for the season to get started. It helps that Fister will be reunited with good friend Max Scherzer. How long this reunion will last is anybody’s guess. A free agent after this season, Fister declined to talk about his future.

Though Sean Doolittle will be spending much of his spring on the sidelines, his fans at least plan to keep him entertained.

Joe Maddon has been reflecting on his past in Arizona while with the Angels as well as his future with the Cubs. He’s also been preparing for his first message to the players.

Could Kris Bryant be the Cubs’ Opening Day third baseman?

It’s possible.

“Anyone in camp can make the team — that’s why they’re here,” Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Thursday.

For the first time in three years, Albert Belle dropped by his former team’s facility during Spring Training. Belle hit 242 homers over eight seasons with the Indians and reached the World Series in 1995.

Don Mattingly and Andrew Friedman agree that A.J. Ellis won’t be the personal catcher for Clayton Kershaw. Mattingly said he doesn’t want to be boxed in by that limitation and Friedman, added that Ellis and new catcher Yasmani Grandal “complement each other really well.”

Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar is going to have right shoulder surgery on Monday and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Finding a team willing to match the Phillies’ heavy demands still remains the biggest obstacle to trading Hamels, and below is my updated list of teams that have the prospects and desire to add the 31-year-old ace to their rotation, listed in order of likelihood.

Left-hander Cliff Lee has hinted in the past that he would like to leave the struggling Phillies and play for a World Series contender, but he used a Magic 8 Ball that he said he found in his locker to deflect those inquiries on Thursday.

The Cubs will honor Ernie Banks, who passed away in January, throughout the 2015 season. A No. 14 cap, a commemorative patch and an Opening Day pin are currently part of the planned tributes.

Jason Kipnis had a nightmarish 2014 season due to injuries, but the Indians second baseman is determined to recapture his All-Star form of 2013.