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.

[FREE] Unlike their keystone counterparts, the shortstop group has more than their share of injury situations. You have top of the chart types in Reyes, Ramirez and Tulowitzki, a veteran like Furcal and up-and-comer Drew who had a gruesome ankle injury last season. Tread carefully with this group.

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.

The latest news on Chris Carpenter's (RHP, STL) sore neck is that he's feeling better but is not yet ready to begin throwing. In the meantime, Lance Lynn (RHP, STL) is being stretched out as a possible rotation replacement in the event that Carpenter is not ready to begin the season. In 2011 Lynn was outstanding in the Cardinals bullpen, posting a 3.12 ERA, 10.4 Dom, 3.6 Cmd, and 145 BPV in 35 IP. Could he bring similar skills to the rotation?

Fifth-starter roles are up for grabs up and down the AL East, but in Tampa Bay and Toronto, leaders may be emerging.

SEA traded heralded starter Michael Pineda (RHP, NYY) to the Yankees not only to sure up their catcher position with Jesus Montero (C, SEA), but because they also had a sea of young arms waiting to fill the void. Felix Hernandez (RHP, SEA) and Jason Vargas (RHP, SEA) figure to anchor the top of the rotation, but beyond that things get a little muddled. 

Persistent neck stiffness has sidelined Chris Carpenter (RHP, STL). Carpenter will skip his first scheduled Grapefruit League start after leaving training camp to have his troublesome neck examined by a specialist. He first reported the stiffness March 3 after throwing live batting practice, then missed a scheduled throwing session. Carpenter currently is still listed as STL's opening-day starter, but his status is now clouded by injury.

In a lot of ways baseball is a game of cycles, including injuries. Right now we are dealing with few familiar names dealing with injury situations at second base. There have been years where this position has been deluged with injuries but not this year. Enjoy the “down cycle” while it lasts.

David Robertson (RHP, NYY) had an MRI and several tests on Thursday after spraining his right foot in a fall at his spring training home Wednesday night. Robertson was seen in camp with a walking boot, and although manager Joe Girardi downplayed the incident before Thursday's spring training game, afterwards he admitted some concern.