HOME RUN

A-Rod: Went deep for a third time this spring, against Brian Matusz of the Orioles. And it was a no-doubter, worthy of a subtle bat flip. He's batting .306 in 36 at-bats, looking terrific coming off ... all of that. He's also going to get a crack at playing first base on Sunday. Look at him, Mr. Versatile.

SETBACK

Jaime Garcia: Always on the cusp of bad news, seemingly, Garcia and the St. Louis Cardinals got some Saturday. He expressed to the athletic training staff that he was feeling arm fatigue. Limited to 16 total starts the past two seasons because of shoulder injuries, Garcia had surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome in his left shoulder last summer. He had been performing well in spring training but will now have to pause his work. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

SORENESS

Justin Verlander: His triceps muscle, which he said was cramped, remains sore. He still expects to make his next spring start, but won't if the condition of his arm doesn't change soon. (Detroit News)

A TRADE

Cardinals: Sent left-hander Sam Freeman to the Rangers for future considerations or cash. Freeman has been told he'll make the opening-day roster. (Fox Sports)

SEXTET

Mariners: Bob Dutton says don't be surprised if Seattle uses a six-man rotation this season. Why? They're already thinking about the postseason. (Tacoma News Tribune)

DAMN, YANKEES

Didi Gregorius: Sustained a sprain of his left wrist, but X-rays showed no break and the Yankees hope to play him again Wednesday. (Bryan Hoch)

ADVANCEMENT

Bobby Parnell: Is about two weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Parnell says he'll be coming off the disabled list in mid-April rather than sometime around May 1 as previously thought. His next test is a minor league side session Sunday. (MetsBlog)

ADJUSTMENT

Jung-Jo Kang: Appears to be marginalizing the leg-kick timing mechanism in his swing in order to help him catch up to major league pitchers. Kang was known for using a leg kick in Korea (although not with two strikes) but it has been slowing him down in Pirates camp. (From Forbes to Federal)

CONTRAST

Cubs: Some see the Cubs as being duplicitous with Kris Bryant because of how they handled Javier Baez in 2014, and how Baez has become a strong possibility to make the team out of spring training when Bryant is ticketed for Class AAA. Cubs president Theo Epstein tries to explain how that's not so. (CSN Chicago)

CANCELLATION

St. Olaf College: In Minnesota announced it is canceling the rest of its baseball schedule because of hazing by the players. (My Fox Minnesota)

RESPONSE

Conan O'Brien: Will Ferrell went on TV and responded to John Madden's criticism of his mostly hilarious and well-intentioned stunt of playing all positions for 10 teams in one day. Go to bed, old man! (TBS)

WILLINGNESS

Mike Pelfrey: Says it's OK if the Twins explore a trade after they announced he's headed for the bullpen. He'd rather start, but the job is going to left-hander Tommy Milone instead. (Pioneer Press)

WALKING PAPERS

Matt Lindstrom: Had an opt-out clause in his deal with the Angels and they said "Adios," because he was out of minor-league options and they were running out of evaluation time. (Los Angeles Times)

Felix Doubront: The Cubs saved about $1.45 million by giving the enigmatic left-hander his unconditional release. They'll use the money on Kris Bryant's seventh season. Just kidding. Probably. (MLB Trade Rumors)

A LITTLE INTEREST

Twins: Would watch a showcase by free-agent right-hander Rafael Soriano, but they're not all that hot after him. (LaVelle Neal)