Joakim Soria (RHP, KC) is headed for season-ending Tommy John surgery, due to the right elbow ligament damage cited by BaseballHQ.com analyst Jock Thompson in his detailed March 20 PTT coverage. KC has yet to reveal Soria's replacement as closer. The situation could be fluid, as KC's bullpen is deep in replacement candidates, headed by Greg Holland (RHP, KC) and Jonathon Broxton (RHP, KC).

Despite a March that might suggest otherwise, the Cubs insisted this week that Bryan LaHair (1B, CHC) is the best choice to open the season as their starting first baseman. Mirroring comments made when Anthony Rizzo (1B, CHC) was acquired this offseason from the Padres, GM Jed Hoyer stated that LaHair will be in lineup against the Nationals on April 5, and Rizzo will be at Triple-A Iowa. The performance of both players this spring have tested Hoyer's resolve: LaHair is 7-for-37 with one extra-base hit and 14 strikeouts; Rizzo is 12-for-32 with 2 HR.

Daniel Bard (RHP, BOS) has struggled in spring training, with a 7.11 ERA, ten walks, and only six strikeouts in 12.2 IP. Word out of Boston is that the Red Sox may abandon their plan to move Bard to the rotation and return him to the pen. If that happens, it seems likely that Felix Doubront (LHP, BOS) and Alfredo Aceves (RHP, BOS) would claim the final two rotation spots.

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.

In spite of his power outage, defensive inadequacies, and miserable spring, the Angels are publicly upbeat about Bobby Abreu. But on the eve of Kendry Morales' spring debut, how long does this last? Plus injury news on Soria, Utley and more ...

Manager Bob Melvin is about to name an A's closer, but it won't be Joey Devine -- at least for now. Also notes on Carlos Quentin's vacated playing time and the ongoing WAS OF/1B issues ...

Devin Mesoraco (C, CIN) is considered a top catching prospect by most minor-league scouts. Ryan Hanigan (C, CIN) hits league-average with little power, but provides experience and consistent production. Who will win the fight for playing time?

The PIT spring training camp has featured PT battles at several positions, including one corner OF spot, and both IF corners. Presumed 1B and LF frontrunners Garrett Jones and Alex Presley, have seized the opportunity with their hot hitting in early Grapefruit League action.

While there aren’t any major injury situations, injuries to veterans like Youkilis, Rolen, Polanco, Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones signals that this group is aging and fast.

Concerns over the health of Scott Baker's (RHP, MIN) right elbow surfaced again this week, as the pitcher was taken off his scheduled Thursday appearance. He had trouble getting loose in his previous start on March 10, and subsequently surrendered six runs on six hits in 1.1 IP. His velocity, normally around 91 mph, dropped to 83-86 in that outing.

Salvador Perez (C, KC) will need surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee sustained during warm-ups Tuesday. There has been no announcement about how much time he'll miss, but it seems almost certain that Brayan Pena (C, KC) will open the season as the Royals starting catcher. Does Pena have any skills that might make him useful on a fantasy roster? Here is what he's shown us in his past two full seasons in the majors.