After spending Opening Day on the bench, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) has since started five of the six games in which the Phillies have faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Just two years ago, Pierre swiped 68 bases and had an SBO of 43%, though those numbers dipped dramatically last year. He was successful on just 27 of his 44 stolen base attempts (61%), and had a 27% SBO. It's unrealistic to expect a full rebound for Pierre, now 34 years old, but he could still be a strong speed source, and has already stolen two bases this year.

David Wright was initially listed in the April 10 lineup, but was later scratched due to a swollen pinkie. Results of the x-rays aren't yet known, but the swollen finger is currently making it difficult for him to swing the bat. Ronny Cedeno, who had made just three previous starts at third base in his career, took Wright's spot in the lineup, and would be among the candidates to see increased playing time should Wright miss any additional time.

Kyle Farnsworth (RHP, TAM) was scheduled to see a doctor about his ailing elbow April 4, which obviously puts his availability for Opening Day very much in doubt. While nothing is official yet, all reports and signs are suggesting that the Rays will be looking for someone else to handle ninth inning duties to begin the year. Joel Peralta (RHP, TAM), who saved six games last season, including four in September while Farnsworth was sidelined, appears to be the most logical candidate.

As expected, Mike Aviles was named the starting shortstop in Boston to begin the season. His main assets are his contact rate (86 percent career) and his speed. Aviles has stolen 14 bases each of the past two years, and did so in just 286 at-bats last year. A consistently low walk rate makes getting on base a struggle, though, which could eventually cut into his playing time somewhat. At this point, though, that doesn't seem to be a major concern, as manager Bobby Valentine is thinking of using Aviles in the leadoff spot.

After taking a bad hop ground ball off of his face, Miguel Cabrera (1B/3B, DET) received eight stitches and was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the orbital floor in his right eye. He will not take part in any baseball activities for a week, at which point he will be re-evaluated. He is currently expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it is certainly a situation worth monitoring, and may complicate things a bit for those with drafts in the next few days.

David Wright (3B, NYM) received an anti-inflammatory injection in his ribcage, as well as an MRI, which showed no significant damage to the area. He could resume baseball activities later this week, and is still expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it certainly appears to be a situation to watch closely in the meantime.

Eric Thames (OF, TOR) and Travis Snider (OF, TOR) find themselves battling for the starting left field job this spring. Thames held the every day job during the second half of last season, during which time he hit .255 with 11 home runs. He possesses plus power, as shown by last year's 133 PX, but mediocre walk and contact rates held him to just a .306 on-base-percentage.

In a surprising move, Houston manager Brad Mills named Brett Myers the team’s new closer. Myers has been a workhorse over the last two seasons, as he has averaged 220 innings per season, with a sub-4.00 xERA in both years. Now, however, it appears he will return to the bullpen, where he last pitched in 2007, when he saved 21 games for the Phillies.

After signing a seven-year, $142M contract prior to 2011, Carl Crawford suffered through a miserable first year in Boston. After years of putting up consistently high batting averages and stolen base totals in TAM, he hit just .255 with 18 steals in 506 at-bats. The odds of a full rebound appear to be decreasing.

Beltran to STL, Kubel to ARI, Cuddyer to COL; Latos, Volquez swap homes, Gio Gonzalez traded to WAS.